SynchroProject
RED SynchroProject II: High Performance and Health in Women’s Artistic Swimming – Project funded by the Consejo Superior de Deportes (Ministerio de Educación, Formación Profesional y Deportes) through the REDES research programin sports sciences 2024 (Referencia: SYNCPROJECT – 99784).
The SynchroProject is a research initiative dedicated to the analysis and enhancement of artistic swimming, led by Dr. Xavier Iglesias from INEFC Barcelona. This project has evolved through two phases: The first phase focused on translational research, aiming to improve knowledge on the structural, bioenergetic, and nutritional aspects of synchronized (artistic) swimming; the second phase involved the establishment of an applied research network, bringing together eight universities, the Spanish and Catalan Swimming Federations, and the High-Performance Training Center (CAR) in Sant Cugat.
Phase 1
SynchroProject: Structural and Bioenergetic Characterization of Synchronized Swimming
The first phase of the SynchroProject focused on the bioenergetic and structural characterization of artistic swimming. The principal investigator was Xavier Iglesias, and all research was conducted by the Sports Science Research Group (GRCEIB) at INEFC Barcelona.
The main objectives included:
- Analysis of the physiological response of athletes during different routines.
- Characterization of the technical structure of routines through observational analysis.
- Relationship between technical performance and physiological load.
This phase resulted in significant scientific output, including two doctoral dissertations (Lara Rodríguez-Zamora i Marta Carrasco Marginet), eight scientific articles, and 21 presentations at conferences and symposiums. The project was financially supported by the Consejo superior de Deportes (CSD) (001/UPB10/11) and the Catalan Institute for Women (Institut Català de les Dones, U-34/10), emphasizing its importance in women’s sports and scientific research.
Phase 2
RED SynchroProject: High Performance and Health in Women’s Artistic Swimming
The second phase, known as RED SynchroProject: High Performance and Health in Women’s Artistic Swimming, has been funded by the REDES Sports Science Research Program 2024 of the Higher Sports Council (CSD) under the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, and Sports (Reference: SYNCPROJECT – 99784). The principal investigator of this project is Dr. Xavier Iglesias, a full professor at INEFC Barcelona. This RED SynchroProject has established a research network that includes the following institutions:
- INEFC Barcelona, affiliated with the Universitat de Barcelona
- Universidade da Coruña
- IdiPAZ/Universidad Europea de Madrid
- Universidad Camilo José Cela (Grupo SEK)
- Universitat Politécnica Catalunya
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid
- Örebro Universitet, Suècia
- CAR de Sant Cugat
- University of Hertfordshire, UK
- Real Federación Española de Natación
- Federació Catalana de Natació
Objectives:
- Share up-to-date knowledge on artistic swimming.
- Create a platform for research dissemination and knowledge transfer.
- Assess potential studies of interest for artistic swimming.
The Network is Composed of:
- Members
Marta Carrasco Marginet (INEFC Barcelona), Apolonia Novillo Villajos (Universidad Complutense de Madrid), Maria Gaibar Alonso (Universidad Camilo José Cela – Grupo SEK), Lindsay Bottoms (University of Hertfordshire – UK), Lara Rodríguez-Zamora (ÖREBRO UNIVERSITET – SUE), Xavier Iglesias Reig (INEFC Barcelona), Diego Chaverri Jové (INEFC Barcelona), Rafael Tarragó García (INEFC Barcelona), Alicia Romero Lorca (Universidad Europea Madrid), Ana Fernández Santander (Universidad Europea Madrid), Antonio Rodríguez Fernández (Universitat Politécnica Catalunya), Virginia López Alonso (Universidade da Coruña).
- Collaborators:
Montserrat Bellver Vives (CAR – Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa), Ana Montero Pacheco (Real Federación Española de Natación), Susana Castiñeira Lampón (Universidade da Coruña – estudiante Doctorado), Victoria Pons Sala (CAR Sant Cugat), Luis Rodríguez Adalia (Federación Catalana Natación), Ignacio Fernández Jarrillo (INEFC Barcelona – estudiante Doctorado), Isai David Domínguez Alatorre (CAR Sant Cugat), Cristina Moure Roget (Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa).
This RED SYNCHROPROJECT has materialized in three key Actions:
1) A scientific conference was held at INEFC Barcelona and the CAR de Sant Cugat (20-21/11/2024), where a summary and the results of the original project, “Synchro Project: Structural and Bioenergetic Characterization of Synchronized Swimming” (led by Xavier Iglesias, INEFC Barcelona), were presented.
During the conference, the following presentations were also delivered:
- Susana Castiñeira, a PhD student at University of A Coruña, presented a proposal for the development of a new observational tool for routine analysis in artistic swimming.
- Lara Rodríguez-Zamora, from Örebro University in Sweden, discussed the physiological response of athletes in apnea situations.
- Virginia López Alonso, from University of A Coruña, presented on the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation.
- Ignacio Fernández-Jarillo, a PhD student at INEFC Barcelona, analyzed the use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology in artistic swimming.
- Finally, the Human Genetic Variability Group, composed of Alicia Romero, Ana Fernández, Apolonia Novillo, and María Gaibar from IdiPAZ/European University of Madrid, presented the application of genetics to artistic swimming.
2) Creation of Two Infographics on SYNCHROPROJECT.
- Infografhic 1: Extreme Physiology in Artistic Swimming
-Iglesias, X. (2025). Fisiología extrema en natación artística [Infografía]. SynchroProject. Grup de Recerca en Ciències de l’Esport INEFC Barcelona (GRCEIB) – Html / Pdf
-Iglesias, X. (2025). Extreme physiology in artistic swimming [Infographic]. SynchroProject. Grup de Recerca en Ciències de l’Esport INEFC Barcelona (GRCEIB) (English version) Html / Pdf
- Infographic 2: Anatomy of an Artistic Swimming Routine
-Iglesias, X. (2025). Anatomía de una rutina en natación artística [Infografía]. SynchroProject. Grup de Recerca en Ciències de l’Esport INEFC Barcelona (GRCEIB) Html / Pdf
-Iglesias, X. (2025). Anatomy of an artistic swimming routine [Infographic]. SynchroProject. Grup de Recerca en Ciències de l’Esport INEFC Barcelona (GRCEIB) (English version)
Html / Pdf
3) Creation of a SYNCHROPROJECT Section on the blog of the Sports Science Research Group at INEFC Barcelona.
publications
Silva, A. M., Campa, F., Stagi, S., Gobbo, L. A., Buffa, R., Toselli, S., & Silva, D. A. S., … ,Irurtia, A., Castizo-Olier, J., et al. (2023). The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) international database: Aims, scope, and call for data. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 77(12), 1143–1150. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-023-01310-x
Amani, A., Bellver, M., Del Rio, L., Torrella, J. R., Lizarraga, A., Humbert, L., & Drobnic, F. (2023). Femur 3D-DXA assessment in female football players, swimmers, and sedentary controls. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(6), 420-426. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1928-9824
Romero-Lorca, A., de la Calle, L., Novillo, A., Fernández-Santander, A., Blanco, M. A., Rodelgo, T., Andreu-Vázquez, C., & Gaibar, M. (2022). Artistic swimming in girls: Anthropometrics, genotype and athletic performance. International Journal of Medicine & Science of Physical Activity & Sport, 22(85), 215. https://doi.org/10.15366/rimcafd2022.85.014
Bellver, M., Ferrer-Roca, V., Del Rio, L., Jovell, E., Gomez-Chereguini, L., Drobnic, F., & Trilla, A. (2021). Bone variables and body composition in former artistic swimmers teams: Jump program effects during COVID-19 confinement: A randomized controlled study. APUNTS Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apunsm.2021.100370
Bellver, M., Drobnic, F., Jovell, E., Ferrer-Roca, V., Abalos, X., Del Rio, L., & Trilla, A. (2021). Jumping rope and whole-body vibration program effects on bone values in Olympic artistic swimmers. Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism, 39, 858-867. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-021-01224-3
Bellver, M., Del Rio, L., Jovell, E., Drobnic, F., & Trilla, A. (2019). Bone mineral density and bone mineral content among female elite athletes. Bone, 127, 393-400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2019.06.030
Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Engan, H. K., Lodin-Sundström, A., Schagatay, F., Iglesias, X., Rodríguez, F. A., & Schagatay, E. (2018). Blood lactate accumulation during competitive freediving and synchronized swimming. Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine, 45(1), 55–63. https://doi.org/10.22462/01.02.2018.8
Carrasco-Marginet, M., Castizo-Olier, J., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Iglesias, X., Rodríguez, F. A., Chaverri, D., Brotons, D., & Irurtia, A. (2017). Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) for measuring the hydration status in young elite synchronized swimmers. PloS One, 12(6), e0178819. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178819
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Chaverri, D., Clapés, P., Rodríguez, F. A., & Anguera, M. Teresa. (2015). Diversificación de patrones en rutinas de solo en natación sincronizada de alto nivel. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, 15(1), 35-46. https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1578-84232015000100009
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Clapés, P., Barrero, A., Chaverri, D., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2014). Análisis multidimensional de la estructura de las rutinas competitivas en natación sincronizada. Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 23(1), 173-180. https://archives.rpd-online.com/article/download/v23-n1-iglesias-rodriguez-zamora-etal/1430-4908-1-PB.pdf
Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Iglesias, X., Barrero, A., Chaverri, D., Irurtia, A., Erola, P., & Rodriguez, F. A. (2014). Perceived exertion, time of immersion and physiological correlates in synchronized swimming. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 35(5), 403-411. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1353177
Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Iglesias, X., Barrero, A., Torres, L., Chaverri, D., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2013). Monitoring internal load parameters during competitive synchronized swimming duet routines in elite athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Epub: 2013/07/04. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182a20ee7
Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Iglesias, X., Barrero, A., Chaverri, D., Erola, P., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2012). Physiological responses in relation to performance during competition in elite synchronized swimmers. PLoS ONE, 7(11), Article e49098. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0049098
CONFERENCES
Castiñeira-Lampón, S., López-Alonso, V., & Iglesias, X. (2024, noviembre). Propuesta de nuevo instrumento observacional para el análisis de rutinas en natación artística. III Congreso Internacional sobre Optimización del Entrenamiento de Fuerza y Rendimiento Neuromuscular, A Coruña, España.
Romero, A., Fernández, A., Novillo, A., & Gaibar, M. (2024, 21 de noviembre). Grupo de variabilidad genética humana: aplicación a la natación artística. Comunicación presentada en la Jornada Científica “RED SynchroProject II”, CAR Sant Cugat, España.
Fernández-Jarillo, I. (2024, 21 de noviembre). Hacia la optimización del perfil fisiológico en natación artística mediante tecnología de espectroscopia del infrarrojo cercano (NIRS). Comunicación presentada en la Jornada Científica “RED SynchroProject II”, CAR Sant Cugat, España.
López-Alonso, V. (2024, 21 de noviembre). Estimulación magnética transcraneal como herramienta para medir los cambios cortico-espinales derivados de la apnea. Comunicación presentada en la Jornada Científica “RED SynchroProject II”, CAR Sant Cugat, España.
Rodríguez-Zamora, L. (2024, 21 de noviembre). La respuesta fisiológica en situaciones de apnea – natación artística [Videoconferencia]. Comunicación presentada en la Jornada Científica “RED SynchroProject II”, CAR Sant Cugat, España.
Castiñeira, S. (2024, 21 de noviembre). Propuesta de nuevo instrumento de observación para el análisis de rutinas en natación artística. Comunicación presentada en la Jornada Científica “RED SynchroProject II”, CAR Sant Cugat, España.
Iglesias, X. (2024, 21 de noviembre). RED SynchroProject II: Alto rendimiento y salud en mujeres de natación artística. Comunicación presentada en la Jornada Científica “RED SynchroProject II”, INEFC Barcelona, España.
Iglesias, X. (2024, 20 de noviembre). Desarrollo del SynchroProject 1. Comunicación presentada en la Jornada Científica “RED SynchroProject II”, INEFC Barcelona, España.
Iglesias, X., Mellado, A., Chaverri, D., Tarragó, R., & Anguera, T. (2020, 21-23 de julio). A mixed method analysis in artistic swimming: Time motion, lag sequential and polar coordinates analysis. 9th European Congress of Methodology (EAM, Valencia, fase virtual).
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Carrasco, M., Chaverri, D., Irurtia, A., Clapés, P., Torres, L., Barrero, A., Castizo, J., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2018, junio). Synchro Project: La igualdad en juego: Las mujeres en las profesiones del deporte. Comunicación presentada en el III Workshop Internacional “Dones i esport”, INEFC de Barcelona, España.
Blanco, M. A., de la Calle, L., Gaibar, M., Novillo, A., Fernández Santander, A., Rodelgo, T., Andreu, C., & Romero Lorca, A. (2018, mayo). Natación sincronizada en edad escolar: relación entre comportamiento alimentario, genética y rendimiento deportivo. Comunicación presentada en el 14º Congreso Internacional de Ciencias del Deporte y la Salud, Pontevedra, España.
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Chaverri, D., Irurtia, A., Carrasco, M., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2016). Synchro Project: caracterització estructural i bioenergètica de la natació sincronitzada. En I Jornada Catalana de Recerca en Ciències de l’Activitat Física i l’Esport. INEFC Barcelona, Barcelona,
Carrasco-Marginet, M., Castizo-Olier, J., Iglesias, X., Rodríguez, F. A., Chaverri, D., & Irurtia, A. (2016). Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) for monitoring hydration status in young competitive synchronized swimmers. World Conference on Kinanthropometry and Body Composition ISAK-UADY 2016, Mérida, México.
Rodríguez, F. A., Chaverri, D., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Carrasco, M., Irurtia, A., & Iglesias, X. (2016). Oxygen uptake and blood lactate in full and fractionated synchronized swimming duet routines in elite swimmers. En 21st Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. European College of Sport Science. Viena, Austria, 6-9 de julio de 2016.
Iglesias, X., et al. (2016). Consum d’oxigen i lactat sanguini en rutines de duo senceres i fraccionades en natació sincronitzada d’elit. I Jornada de Recerca en Ciències de l’Esport. INEFC Barcelona, Barcelona, España, 15 de junio de 2016.
Rodríguez, F. A., Chaverri, D., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Carrasco, M., Irurtia, A., & Iglesias, X. (2016, 6-9 de julio). Oxygen uptake and blood lactate in full and fractionated synchronized swimming duet routines in elite swimmers. 21st Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Viena, Austria.
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Chaverri, D., Irurtia, A., Carrasco, M., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2016, 15 de junio). Synchro Project: caracterització estructural i bioenergètica de la natació sincronitzada. I Jornada Catalana de Recerca en Ciències de l’Activitat Física i l’Esport, INEFC Barcelona. Barcelona.
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Chaverri, D., Irurtia, A., Carrasco, M., & Rodríguez, F.A. (2016, 15 de junio). Consum d’oxigen i lactat sanguini en rutines de duo senceres i fraccionades en natació sincronitzada d’elit. I Jornada de Recerca en Ciències de l’Esport, INEFC Barcelona, INEFC Barcelona. Barcelona
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Chaverri, D., Clapés, P., Rodríguez, F. A., & Anguera, M. T. (2015). Diversificación de patrones en rutinas de solo en natación sincronizada de alto nivel. En XIV Congreso de Metodología de las Ciencias Sociales y de la Salud. Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, España, 21-24 de julio de 2015.
Iglesias, X., Chaverri, D., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Carrasco, M., Irurtia, A., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2015). Evolución del lactato sanguíneo durante la ejecución de rutinas de dúo libre en natación sincronizada. Sportis, Pontevedra, España. 7-9 de mayo de 2015.
Iglesias, X., Chaverri, D., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Carrasco, M., Irurtia, A., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2015, 7-9 mayo). Evolución del lactato sanguíneo durante la ejecución de rutinas de dúo libre en natación sincronizada. 11th International Congress on Sport Science and Physical Education. Pontevedra, Spain.
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Chaverri, D., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2014). Caracterización de las fases de apnea y posición corporal en rutinas de natación sincronizada. 10th International Congress on Sport Science and Physical Education. Sportis, Pontevedra, España, 8–10 de mayo de 2014.
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Barrero, A., Chaverri, D., Irurtia, A., Erola, P., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2013). Tiempo de inmersión y respuesta de la frecuencia cardíaca en rutinas de solo y dúo en natación sincronizada. XIII Congreso de Metodología de las Ciencias Sociales y de la Salud, La Laguna, 3–6 de septiembre.
Carrasco, M., Irurtia, A., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Iglesias, X., Brotons, D., Vidal, E., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2013). Body composition and nutritional status in elite synchronized swimmers. 18th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, INEFC Barcelona, 26-29 de junio 2013.
Carrasco, M., Irurtia, A., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Iglesias, X., Brotons, D., Vidal, E., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2013). Changes in the whole-body bioelectrical impedance vector induced by training in young elite synchronized swimmers: Preliminary results. 18th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, INEFC Barcelona, 26-29 de junio 2013.
Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Engan, H. K., Lodin-Sundström, A., Iglesias, X., Rodríguez, F. A., & Schagatay, E. (2013). Blood lactate after competitive free diving and synchronized swimming events.18th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, INEFC Barcelona, 26-29 de junio 2013.
Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Iglesias, X., Irurtia, A., Barrero, A., Chaverri, D., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2013). Perceived exertion, time of immersion, and physiological correlates in elite synchronized swimming during competition. 18th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, INEFC Barcelona, 26-29 de junio 2013.
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Barrero, A., Torres, L., Chaverri, D., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2013). Monitoring internal load parameters during competitive synchronized swimming duet routines in elite athletes. 18th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, INEFC Barcelona, 26-29 de junio 2013.
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Clapés, P., Barrero, A., Chaverri, D., Erola, P., Irúrtia, A., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2012). Heart rate kinetics during synchronized swimming solo routines in relation to breath holding and body position. Poster presented at the 17th Congress of the European College of Sports Science (ECSS), Bruges, Belgium, 4–7 julio de 2012.
Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Iglesias, X., Barrero, A., Chaverri, D., Erola, P., Irurtia, A., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2012). La percepción de esfuerzo en natación sincronizada de competición. En 7th FIEP European Congress – 1r Congrés Català de l’Educació Física i l’Esport, Barcelona, España, 7–9 de junio de 2012.
Iglesias, X., Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Clapés, P., Barrero, A., Chaverri, D., Erola, P., Irúrtia, A., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2012). Exercise, body position, and breath holding related to heart rate responses during synchronized swimming solo routines. 7th FIEP European Congress – 1r Congrés Català de l’Educació Física i l’Esport, Barcelona, Spain, 7–9 junio de 2012.
Rodríguez-Zamora, L., Iglesias, X., Barrero, A., Chaverri, D., Erola, P., & Rodríguez, F. A. (2012). Heart rate, blood lactate, and perceived exertion in synchronized swimming routines during competition. Poster presented at the 17th Congress of the European College of Sports Science (ECSS), Bruges, Belgium, 4–7 julio de 2012.