Background Apnea training has shown promise in enhancing psychophysiological parameters in athletes, but its effects on para-swimmers, especially the short-term wet static apnea training (WSAT) protocol, are largely unknown. Methods Five para-swimmers from the Sports Training Center at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais participated in a 5-week study performing high external swimming training loads and maximal strength training in weeks 1, 2, 4, and 5, and recovery in week 3 with low-intensity and low-volume swimming. After each swimming session, five sessions of WSAT were performed in week 4. Pre-session measurements included resting heart rate variability (rHRV), well-being parameters, perceived recovery status (PRS), and counter-movement jump (CMJ) height, while post-session measurements included session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE). Apnea in different conditions and 100-m swimming time trial were recorded before and after WSAT. Results WSAT increased weekly PRS (WPRS) at week 5 compared to week 2 (p = 0.034; n2 = 0.703), indicating improved recovery perception. Specifically, athletes showed higher weekly RPE (WRPE) and session RPE (WsRPE) in weeks 4 and 5 compared to week 3 (p = 0.017, n2 = 0.805; p = 0.047; n2 = 0.805), indicating higher perceived exertion during weeks with high training loads. However, no significant changes were observed in rHRV, CMJ, and 100-m swimming times. Conclusions Despite the limited sample size, our preliminary findings suggest that short-term WSAT may positively affect perceived recovery in para-swimmers. WSAT may need longer and/or more intense apnea training protocols to induce significant adaptations in physiological markers or physical performance.
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