Characteristics and Challenges of Open-Water Swimming Performance: A Review

in International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

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Roberto Baldassarre
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Marco Bonifazi
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Paola Zamparo
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Maria Francesca Piacentini
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2017-0230
Keywords:
endurance; marathon swimming; athlete characteristics
In Print:
Volume 12: Issue 10
Page Range:
1275–1284
Restricted access

Context: Although the popularity of open-water swimming (OWS) events has significantly increased in the last decades, specific studies regarding performance of elite or age-group athletes in these events are scarce. Purpose: To analyze the existing literature on OWS. Methods: Relevant literature was located via computer-generated citations. During August 2016, online computer searches on PubMed and Scopus databases were conducted to locate published research. Results: The number of participants in ultraendurance swimming events has substantially increased in the last 10 y. In elite athletes there is a higher overall competitive level of women than of men. The body composition of female athletes (different percentage and distribution of fat tissue) shows several advantages (more buoyancy and less drag) in aquatic conditions that determine the small difference between males and females. The main physiological characteristics of open-water swimmers (OW swimmers) are the ability to swim at high percentage of V˙O2max (80–90%) for many hours. Furthermore, to sustain high velocity for many hours, endurance swimmers need a high propelling efficiency and a low energy cost. Conclusion: Open-water races may be characterized by extreme environmental conditions (water temperature, tides, currents, and waves) that have an overall impact on performance, influencing tactics and pacing. Future studies are needed to study OWS in both training and competition.

Baldassarre and Piacentini are with the Dept of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico,” Rome, Italy. Bonifazi is with the Dept of Medical, Surgical and Neuro Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. Zamparo is with the Dept of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.

Piacentini (mariafrancesca.piacentini@uniroma4.it) is corresponding author.
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