Effects of an 8-week Jump Squat 15-m Swimming Start Swimmers

Effects of an 8-week Jump Squat Training Program on 15-m Swimming Start Performance in Youth Swimmers

This study aims to examine the effects of a structured swimming training intervention on sport performance-related outcomes in 14- to 15-year-old federated swimmers from Club Huracanes. The study will use a single-group pre-post field design. Participants will complete baseline assessments before the intervention and post-intervention assessments after the final training week. The intervention will be integrated into the regular training process and will be supervised by the coaching and research team. Outcomes will include swimming performance-related measures and adherence to the intervention. Safety will be monitored throughout the study, and any adverse events or musculoskeletal complaints will be recorded. Written informed consent from parents or legal guardians and assent from the athletes will be required before participation.

This is a field-based, single-group pre-post interventional study conducted with 14- to 15-year-old federated swimmers from Club Huracanes. The intervention will be implemented as part of the athletes' regular training environment and will be designed according to their age, developmental stage, training background, and competitive level.

Participants will undergo baseline testing before the beginning of the intervention and post-intervention testing after completion of the training program. The training intervention will be supervised by qualified personnel and will include progressive swimming-related training tasks aimed at improving sport performance-related outcomes. The training load will be controlled to avoid demands that substantially exceed the athletes' usual practice. Each session will include an appropriate warm-up, supervised execution of the planned tasks, adequate recovery periods, and monitoring for pain, excessive fatigue, discomfort, or any sign of risk.

Because the study involves minors and a sport-specific sample, ethical safeguards will include written informed consent from parents or legal guardians, assent from the athletes, confidentiality of personal information, and the right to withdraw voluntarily at any time without consequences for the athlete's participation in the club. Any adverse event will be recorded and managed according to the procedures available at the training venue.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Federated youth swimmers belonging to Club Huracanes.
• Aged 13 to 14 years at enrollment.
• Active participation in regular swimming training.
• Current valid federation registration.
• At least 6 months of previous experience with strength training or jumping exercises.
• No musculoskeletal injury during the 2 months prior to enrollment.
• Availability to attend at least 85% of the planned intervention sessions.
• Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian.
• Assent provided by the athlete.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Musculoskeletal injury, pain, or medical condition contraindicating jump training, high-speed movement, or swimming start testing.
• Participation in another uncontrolled lower-limb power training program during the study period.
• Failure to comply with pre-test standardization procedures, including avoiding strenuous exercise during the 48 hours before testing.
• Inability to complete baseline testing procedures.