摘要：The purpose of this study was to determine if 2 wks of taper is sufficient to promote physiological restoration and improvement in the physical performance of young swimmers. Thirty days before, the 1st day, and on the 15th day of the taper, 6 athletes (4 females and 2 males) 14.5 ± 1.4 yrs of age were selected because of their national level performance. Each subject was evaluated for markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase, CK and lactate dehydrogenase, LDH), systemic inflammation (usCRP and Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, AGP) and liver activity (AST and ALT). They completed a questionnaire for mood state (POMS), and then swam a 100-m free style test. The taper was exponential with slow decay. The athletes engaged the taper period before a national championship as part of a macrocycle of 6 months. Although LDH decreased significantly (39%; P = 0.006), there were no changes in CK, markers of inflammation and liver activity, mood, or training distress scale, and no change in the 100-m free style time. The findings indicate that the 2 wks of taper restored levels of muscular damage, but did not improve the swimmers’ physical performance.
