For top-level sport

Aqua-Fit in competitive sports: The ideal supplement for runners

For many ambitious runners, the desire to run faster, better or further is a constant companion. This often leads to increased training intensity and frequency. What is often overlooked is that running on land means a high level of strain on the musculoskeletal system. In particular, the eccentric strain on the muscles - i.e. braking with every step - can lead to overload and injuries.

This is where Aqua-Fit comes in: the buoyancy of the water eliminates this strain, so the body is protected while training effectively. Without the impact on the musculoskeletal system, runners can increase their training frequency without running the risk of injury.

Effective technique and endurance training in the water

In addition to protecting the musculoskeletal system, Aqua-Fit also offers the opportunity to work specifically on your running technique. In the water, movements are slower and there is no contact with the ground, which makes it possible to hone technical details such as the pull phase - one of the key elements for an efficient running style.

Aqua-Fit and competitive sports: the experience of the professionals

Successful athletes such as Dieter Baumann, Christian Belz, Anita Brägger, André Bucher, Viktor Röthlin and Anita Weyermann have recognized the value of Aqua-Fit. Regular training in the water has helped them to increase their performance and refine their running technique – all while protecting their musculoskeletal system.

André Bucher, a world-class Swiss runner and former 800m world champion, integrated aqua-fit intensively into his training program during a period of injury in 2002. Through targeted interval units in the water, he was able to achieve almost identical pulse and lactate values to those in his land training. This shows that aqua-fit not only offers gentle training, but also comparable effectiveness in terms of metabolic and cardiovascular stress.

As Bucher himself said: "Since my injury, aqua fitness and deep water running have been an integral part of my weekly training."

The physiological effects of aqua-fit training

When training in water, some parameters change compared to training on land. The reduced gravity and the diving reflex reduce the heart rate by 20-30% - that is about 10 to 15 beats per minute. The water pressure leads to an increased return flow of blood to the heart, which means more blood is transported per beat.

The lactate level also behaves differently: while it tends to be higher in water, the water pressure causes the lactate to be broken down more quickly than on land. The increased water pressure and the holistic muscle strain lead to increased lactate production, which intensifies training. It is therefore important not to determine the training intensity in water solely based on heart rate in order to avoid overtraining.

Aqua-Fit: Not just an alternative for injuries

Aqua-Fit is not only a valuable training tool during periods of injury. Rather, this gentle training method has proven itself as a year-round supplement - both in the transition phase and in the preparation and competition phase.

The advantages at a glance:

• Gentle cardiovascular training without joint strain

• Effective whole-body training of all physical abilities

• Targeted training of the pull phase in deep water running

• Optimal addition to running technique training

• Implementation of all running training forms (interval, endurance running, fartlek) in the water

• Shortened break times through relief in the water

• Protection of the musculoskeletal system, no eccentric load

• Efficient technique and endurance training

• Lower heart rate due to diving reflex

• Higher lactate levels, faster regeneration through water pressure

• Optimal supplement in all training phases

Aqua-Fit is therefore not only an ideal alternative for ambitious athletes in the event of injuries, but also a useful addition to all training phases of the year - regardless of whether it is the transition, preparation or competition period.

Conclusion

Aqua-Fit is an effective and gentle form of training not only in health sports, but also in competitive sports. It allows you to increase the intensity of your training without putting strain on your musculoskeletal system. For runners, Aqua-Fit is one of the most efficient training alternatives, helping to optimize technique and increase endurance.