The benefits of training in the acuátic environment for racing athletes, a literature review

Revisão de literatura: Os benefícios do treinamento no ambiente aquático para atletas de corrida

Abstract

Background: The aquatic environment is commonly used for the development of multiple physical activities due to the physical properties of water. Starting from this principle, the question arises as to whether this means can be useful to optimize the training process in athletics.

Goals: The objective of this work is to collect information on the effects of training in the aquatic environment and the basic considerations when carrying it out for the development of physical qualities in athletics, covering injury prevention and rehabilitation and improving performance.

Method: Review of articles that have verified the benefits of training in the aquatic environment for sports development, the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries in athletics or in qualities that mark performance.

Results: Training in the aquatic environment reduces the vertical ground reaction forces, and therefore the impact, thus reduces the risk of injury, at the same time that it allows obtaining similar benefits to the land environment related to variables such as plyometrics and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Conclusions: Athletics training in the aquatic environment allows the development of performance determinants, reducing the risk of injury. However, for this to happen and to take advantage of the benefits of water, it is necessary to fully understand how it affects the body when it is immersed.

Keywords: “athletics”, “training”, “‘water training’”, “running”, “plyometric”, “‘long distance’”, “'muscle injury'”, “'aquatic environment'”.