Metabolic predictors of middle-distance swimming performance.

Abstract

This lack of data may be related to the fact that evaluation of the energy releasing processes in swimming is difficult to perform in most exercise physiology laboratories. However, new methods have been developed which allow the determination of VO2 and blood lactate concentration in response to different swimuning velocities with the collection of expired air and blood samples in the recovery period'3' . These methods present the advantage of estimating the contribution of anaerobic and aerobic processes at submaximal and maximal intensities while swimuing, and relating these findings to training intensities'0' 15. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the capacity of metabolic indices derived from these new methods to predict the performance in the 400 metres swimming event.The results indicate that some of these factors may be important determinants of middle distance swimming performance. MethodFifteen competitive swimmers participated in the study. Their physical characteristics are described in Table 1. They were participating in intense physical training, they were all used to swimming the 400 metres freestyle swimming event, but not all of them were specialists in such an event. The athletes were informed about the risks involved in the participation in the experiments and signed an informed consent. 196 Br.

Assessment of post-competition peak blood lactate in male and female master swimmers aged 40–79 years and its relationship with swimming performance

“…In swimming, most of the published data on post-competition or postmaximal effort [La] b are relative to young or adult athletes and have been collected during the most favourable competition period (Avlonitou 1996;Bonifazi et al 1993 andChatard et al 1988;McMaster et al 1989;Ribeiro et al 1990;Sawka et al 1979). By contrast studies on master swimmers are scarce and limited either for the small number of subjects involved (Reaburn and Mackinnon 1990), or for the aspects of performance investigated (i.e.…”

Comparação e correlação entre valores de velocidade de nado prescritos por diferentes métodos

“…Neste sentido, o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO 2max ) apresenta uma importante relação com o desempenho, particularmente em esforços físicos prolongados sob intensidade moderada (BASSET; HOWLEY, 2000). Na natação, particularmente em provas de longa duração, tem sido encontrada correlação significativa entre o VO 2max e o desempenho na distância de 400m (RIBEIRO et al, 1990;WAKAYOSHI et al, 1993). Não obstante, considerando-se as limitações impostas pelos métodos para medida do VO 2max (a potência gerada pelo nadador para vencer o arrasto pode ser afetada pela utilização de equipamentos desajeitados, resultando em um maior dispêndio de energia para realização do nado a determinada velocidade, segundo TOUSSAINT et al, 1990;PAPOTI et al, 2007) e a dificuldade de acesso a equipamentos para uso em natação livre, a medida de VO 2max não é prática nem utilizável no dia a dia de treino.…”

Effects of swimming on erythrocyte rheological properties

“…The 400-meter freestyle swimming is an event in which both aerobic and anaerobic processes contribute to the energy release [27]. Blood lactate concentration increases after 400-meter freestyle swimming [25,27]. Increased lactate levels may affect erythrocyte rheological properties [33].…”

“…Moreover, the effect of swimming on blood rheology is unknown. The 400-meter freestyle swimming is an event in which both aerobic and anaerobic processes contribute to the energy release [27]. Blood lactate concentration increases after 400-meter freestyle swimming [25,27].…”

“…This assumption was based on the observations that the in vitro addition of lactate shrinks red blood cells and decreases their flexibility and filterability, and moderate lactic acidosis during moderate-intensity exercise coincided with a temporary increase in red blood cell rigidity [15]. Muscles produce lactic acid during 400-meter swimming, which leads to lactate accumulation in the blood [25,27]. Similarly, in the present study, blood lactate concentration increased considerably after swimming, but we could find no correlation between blood lactate levels and erythrocyte deformability indices before and after swimming.…”