Personal experience had suggested elite level swimming training programmes do not optimise the individualisation of training sufficiently. This investigation was therefore designed to examine the extent to which swimming coaches individualise training programmes with their elite level swimmers. Sixty coaches working at the elite level in Great Britain completed a questionnaire identifying important issues associated with the individualisation of swimming training. The results of the questionnaire led to the formation of an interview schedule that was conducted with eighteen prominent British coaches in order to add qualitative depth to the study. Analysis of the information gathered led to the conclusion that the individualisation of training is taking place among elite level competitive swimming programmes in Great Britain, although the nature and extent of individualisation is considerably varied. Numerous methods of incorporating individualised work and the reasons for this were identified whilst a range of factors were shown to cause variations in the amount of individualisation provided. A number of restrictions were found to act upon the practical nature of training programmes and thus, limit the amount of individualisation that can take place. However, although coaches incorporate training individualisation, the results did not allow an assertion that individualisation is taking place as much as possible, regardless of the restrictions. Thus, questions remain regarding the importance of individualisation in a training programme. The limitations of the study were recognised and recommendations made for future research in this area. In particular, the necessity to determine what effect more or less individualisation of a training programme will have on athlete development and competitive performances.
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