Skip to content

High-intensity interval swimming improves cardiovascular endurance, while aquatic resistance training enhances muscular strength in older adults.

PMID 39448717 (2024): endurance, interval — VO₂max, Lactate threshold (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 10:34 PM

Study note • PMID 39448717

High-intensity interval swimming improves cardiovascular endurance, while aquatic resistance training enhances muscular strength in older adults.

Scientific reports2024 • DOI 10.1038/s41598-024-75894-0
Evidence C65/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of free swimming (FS), aquatic resistance training (ART), and their combination (FS&ART) on the body composition, blood pressure, and… (randomized trial; participants).

The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in VO₂max, Lactate threshold under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of free swimming (FS), aquatic resistance training (ART), and their combination (FS&ART) on the body composition, blood pressure, and…
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in VO₂max, Lactate threshold under the tested conditions.
  • Population: participants.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 6 min.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: endurance, interval (vs control group).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 6 min.
  • Outcomes: VO₂max, Lactate threshold.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (participants) working on endurance.
  • Athletes who can measure VO₂max, Lactate threshold with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: randomized trial.
  • Population: participants.
  • Comparator: control group.
  • Outcomes measured: VO₂max, Lactate threshold.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 6 min.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 39448717 (2024) — Scientific reports.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

Specifically, both ART (+ 20.1%; p < 0.05) and FS&ART (+ 19.5%; p < 0.05) showed significantly greater improvements in the chair stand test compared to the control group.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations & bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

Coaching beta

Get a plan that adapts to your life.

Join the 26weeks.ai TestFlight beta for adaptive coaching, recovery-aware adjustments, and race-week reminders.

Keep going

Sources