Analyse how the FITT principle would be applied differently for aerobic training in swimming compared to running. Provide examples to support your answer. (8 marks)
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Sample Answer
Overview Statement:
- Swimming and running require different FITT applications due to their distinct environmental and biomechanical demands.
- Key relationships exist between impact stress and frequency, body position and intensity measurement, plus equipment constraints affecting type variety.
Component Relationship 1:
- Impact stress levels directly influence frequency capabilities between these activities.
- Swimming enables 5-6 weekly sessions because water buoyancy reduces joint stress, while running limits training to 3-4 sessions due to high impact forces.
- Water supports body weight, preventing overuse injuries that commonly affect runners.
- This relationship means swimmers can accumulate greater weekly training volume without injury risk.
Component Relationship 2:
- Environmental factors connect to intensity measurement accuracy and session duration.
- Horizontal body position in water causes heart rates to run 10-15 beats lower than land-based activities.
- This forces swimmers to rely on perceived exertion or pace times rather than heart rate monitoring.
- Additionally, water resistance increases energy expenditure, resulting in shorter session durations (45-60 minutes) compared to running (60-90 minutes) for equivalent training stimulus.
Implications and Synthesis:
- These component relationships demonstrate how environmental constraints shape FITT application.
- Swimming’s supportive environment allows higher frequency but restricts type variety to stroke variations.
- Running’s impact stress limits frequency but provides diverse terrain options.
- The significance is that effective aerobic programs must adapt FITT components to match each activity’s unique biomechanical and environmental demands.
Show Worked Solution
Sample Answer
Overview Statement:
- Swimming and running require different FITT applications due to their distinct environmental and biomechanical demands.
- Key relationships exist between impact stress and frequency, body position and intensity measurement, plus equipment constraints affecting type variety.
Component Relationship 1:
- Impact stress levels directly influence frequency capabilities between these activities.
- Swimming enables 5-6 weekly sessions because water buoyancy reduces joint stress, while running limits training to 3-4 sessions due to high impact forces.
- Water supports body weight, preventing overuse injuries that commonly affect runners.
- This relationship means swimmers can accumulate greater weekly training volume without injury risk.
Component Relationship 2:
- Environmental factors connect to intensity measurement accuracy and session duration.
- Horizontal body position in water causes heart rates to run 10-15 beats lower than land-based activities.
- This forces swimmers to rely on perceived exertion or pace times rather than heart rate monitoring.
- Additionally, water resistance increases energy expenditure, resulting in shorter session durations (45-60 minutes) compared to running (60-90 minutes) for equivalent training stimulus.
Implications and Synthesis:
- These component relationships demonstrate how environmental constraints shape FITT application.
- Swimming’s supportive environment allows higher frequency but restricts type variety to stroke variations.
- Running’s impact stress limits frequency but provides diverse terrain options.
- The significance is that effective aerobic programs must adapt FITT components to match each activity’s unique biomechanical and environmental demands.