Validating Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters During Intermittent Swimming at Speed Corresponding to Lactate Concentration of 4 mmol/L

AIM: progressively increasing swimming speed test (5 × 200 m) is used to calculate the speed corresponding to blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol/L (V4) and related physiological and biomechanical parameters. The purpose of this study was to compare the calculated by a 5 × 200-m test parameters with those obtained during an intermittent swimming training set (5 × 400-m) performed at constant speed corresponding to V4. MATERIAL & METHOD: Twelve competitive male swimmers (age, 19 ± 2 years; height, 178 ± 8 cm; body mass, 74.4 ± 10.1 kg) performed a 5 × 200-m front crawl test reaching maximum speed in the last effort. Blood lactate concentration (BL) was measured after each 200 m, and heart rate (HR), stroke rate (SR), and stroke length (SL) were determined during each 200 m. V4 was calculated by interpolation using the individual speed vs. BL, and subsequently HR, SR, SL corresponding to V4 were calculated (HR-V4, SR-V4, SL-V4). One week later, swimmers performed 5 × 400-m at constant speed corresponding to V4. During the 5 × 400-m test, BL (BL-5 × 400) was measured after the 1st, 3rd and 5th repetitions, while HR (HR-5 × 400) was recorded continuously. SR and SL were measured in each 400-m repetition, and mean values were calculated (SR-5 × 400 and SL-5 × 400). RESULTS: V4 and HR-V4 were not different from speed and HR-5 × 400 during the 5 × 400-m test (1.30 ± 0.10 vs. 1.29 ± 0.10 m/s; 160 ± 14 vs. 166 ± 13 b/min, both p > 0.05). BL-5 × 400 was not different from 4 mmol/L (4.9 ± 2.6 mmol/L, p > 0.05). SR was increased and SL was decreased during 5 × 400 m compared to the values corresponding to V4 (SR-V4, 28.9 ± 3.8 vs. SR-5 × 400, 34.5 ± 3.4 strokes/min; SL-V4, 2.38 ± 0.33 vs. SL-5 × 400, 2.25 ± 0.30 m/cycle, both p < 0.05). A Bland-and-Altman plot indicated agreement between variables obtained by the 5 × 200-m and 5 × 400-m tests but with great range of variation (bias: BL, −1.0 ± 2.6 mmol/L; HR, −7 ± 12 b/min; SR, −5.6 ± 3.3 strokes/min; SL, 0.13 ± 0.09 m/cycle). CONCLUSIONS: An intermittent, with progressively increasing speed, swimming test provides physiological information to coaches to apply during an intermittent constant-speed swimming training set at intensity corresponding to BL of 4 mmol/L with large inter-individual variability. It seems that the 5 × 200-m test does not provide valid results for the biomechanical parameters.

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Validating Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters during Intermittent Swimming at Speed Corresponding to Lactate Concentration of 4 mmol·L−1

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports8020023 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 23

Author(s):

Gavriil G. Arsoniadis ◽

Ioannis S. Nikitakis ◽

Petros G. Botonis ◽

Ioannis Malliaros ◽

Argyris G. Toubekis

Keyword(s):

Blood Lactate ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Blood Lactate Concentration ◽

Constant Speed ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Training Set ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Stroke Length ◽

Biomechanical Parameters

Background: Physiological and biomechanical parameters obtained during testing need validation in a training setting. The purpose of this study was to compare parameters calculated by a 5 × 200-m test with those measured during an intermittent swimming training set performed at constant speed corresponding to blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol∙L−1 (V4). Methods: Twelve competitive swimmers performed a 5 × 200-m progressively increasing speed front crawl test. Blood lactate concentration (BL) was measured after each 200 m and V4 was calculated by interpolation. Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), stroke rate (SR) and stroke length (SL) were determined during each 200 m. Subsequently, BL, HR, SR and SL corresponding to V4 were calculated. A week later, swimmers performed a 5 × 400-m training set at constant speed corresponding to V4 and BL-5×400, HR-5×400, RPE-5×400, SR-5×400, SL-5×400 were measured. Results: BL-5×400 and RPE-5×400 were similar (p > 0.05), while HR-5×400 and SR-5×400 were increased and SL-5×400 was decreased compared to values calculated by the 5 × 200-m test (p < 0.05). Conclusion: An intermittent progressively increasing speed swimming test provides physiological information with large interindividual variability. It seems that swimmers adjust their biomechanical parameters to maintain constant speed in an aerobic endurance training set of 5 × 400-m at intensity corresponding to 4 mmol∙L−1.

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Validating Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters during Continuous Swimming at Speed Corresponding to Lactate Threshold

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2019025004 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 4

Author(s):

Gavriil G. Arsoniadis ◽

Ioannis S. Nikitakis ◽

Petros G. Botonis ◽

Ioannis Malliaros ◽

Argyris G. Toubekis

Keyword(s):

Lactate Threshold ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Blood Lactate Concentration ◽

Maximum Speed ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Stroke Length ◽

Mean Values ◽

Speed Test ◽

Biomechanical Parameters ◽

The Individual

AIM: The purpose of this study was to validate the physiological responses and biomechanical parameters during continuous swimming at intensity corresponding to lactate threshold previously calculated by an intermittent, progressively increasing speed test (7 × 200-m). MATERIAL & METHOD: Nine competitive male and female swimmers (age, 19.2 ± 2.3 years; height, 175.3 ± 7.5 cm; body mass, 67.6 ± 8.7 kg; VO2max, 46.5 ± 15.6 mL/kg/min) performed a 7 × 200-m front crawl test reaching maximum speed in the last effort. Blood lactate concentration (BL) and oxygen uptake (VO2) were determined after each repetition, while heart rate (HR) was recorded continuously. Stroke rate (SR) and stroke length (SL) were measured in each 200-m effort. The speed at lactate threshold (sLT) was calculated using the individual speed vs. BL, and subsequently BL, VO2, HR, SR, and SL corresponding to sLT were calculated (BL-sLT, VO2-sLT, HR-sLT, SR-sLT, and SL-sLT). On a subsequent day, swimmers performed 30-min continuous swimming (T30) with a constant speed corresponding to sLT. BL, V02, HR, SR, and SL (BL-T30, V02-T30, HR-T30, SR-T30, and SL-T30) were measured in the 10th and 30th minutes of the T30 test, and the mean values were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The speed corresponding to sLT was not different from the speed at T30 (1.33 ± 0.08 vs. 1.32 ± 0.09 m/s, p > 0.05). There was no difference between tests in VO2 (VO2-sLT, 34.9 ± 13.3 vs. VO2-T30, 32.1 ± 11.4 ml/kg/min, p = 0.47). However, not all swimmers were able to complete T30 at sLT, and BL, HR, and SR were higher, while SL was lower at the end of T30 compared to sLT (BL-sLT, 3.47 ± 0.60 mmol/L vs. BL-T30, 5.28 ± 3.15 mmol/L, p = 0.05; HR-sLT, 163 ± 10 vs. HR-T30, 171 ± 11 b/min, p = 0.03; SR-sLT, 28.0 ± 4.0 vs. SR-T30, 33.8 ± 3.2 strokes/min, p < 0.001; SL-sLT, 2.6 ± 0.4 vs. SL-T30, 2.4 ± 0.3 m/cycles, p < 0.001). A Bland-and-Altman plot indicated agreement between 7 × 200 and T30 in BL (bias 1.8 ± 2.4 mmol/L), VO2 (bias −2.9 ± 11.4 ml/kg/min), HR (bias 10.3 ± 12 b/min), SR (bias 5.3 ± 3.4 strokes/min), and SL (bias −0.3 ± 0.2 m/cycle), but the range of physiological and biomechanical data variations was large. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous swimming at speed corresponding to lactate threshold may not show the same physiological and biomechanical responses as those predicted by a progressively increasing speed test of 7 × 200-m.

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Energetic and Biomechanical Contributions for Longitudinal Performance in Master Swimmers

Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology ◽

10.3390/jfmk5020037 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 37

Author(s):

Daniel A. Marinho ◽

Maria I. Ferreira ◽

Tiago M. Barbosa ◽

José Vilaça-Alves ◽

Mário J. Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Lactate ◽

Swimming Performance ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Blood Lactate Concentration ◽

Stroke Index ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Stroke Length ◽

Propelling Efficiency ◽

Peak Blood ◽

Peak Blood Lactate

Background: The current study aimed to verify the changes in performance, physiological and biomechanical variables throughout a season in master swimmers. Methods: Twenty-three master swimmers (34.9 ± 7.4 years) were assessed three times during a season (December: M1, March: M2, June: M3), in indoor 25 m swimming pools. An incremental 5 × 200 m test was used to evaluate the speed at 4 mmol·L−1 of blood lactate concentration (sLT), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), peak blood lactate ([La-]peak) after the test, stroke frequency (SF), stroke length (SL), stroke index (SI) and propelling efficiency (ηp). The performance was assessed in the 200 m front crawl during competition. Results: Swimming performance improved between M1, M2 (2%, p = 0.03), and M3 (4%, p < 0.001). Both sLT and VO2max increased throughout the season (4% and 18%, p < 0.001, respectively) but not [La-]peak. While SF decreased 5%, SL, SI and ηp increased 5%, 7%, and 6% (p < 0.001) from M1 to M3. Conclusions: Master swimmers improved significantly in their 200 m front crawl performance over a season, with decreased SF, and increased SL, ηp and SI. Despite the improvement in energetic variables, the change in performance seemed to be more dependent on technical than energetic factors.

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Verifying Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters during Continuous Swimming at Speed Corresponding to Lactate Threshold

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports8070095 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 95

Author(s):

Gavriil G. Arsoniadis ◽

Ioannis S. Nikitakis ◽

Petros G. Botonis ◽

Ioannis Malliaros ◽

Argyris G. Toubekis

Keyword(s):

Lactate Threshold ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Blood Lactate Concentration ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Stroke Length ◽

Speed Test ◽

Biomechanical Responses ◽

Biomechanical Parameters ◽

Competitive Swimmers

The purpose of this study was to verify the physiological responses and biomechanical parameters measured during 30 min of continuous swimming (T30) at intensity corresponding to lactate threshold previously calculated by an intermittent progressively increasing speed test (7 × 200 m). Fourteen competitive swimmers (18.0 (2.5) years, 67.5 (8.8) kg, 174.5 (7.7) cm) performed a 7 × 200 m front crawl test. Blood lactate concentration (BL) and oxygen uptake (VO2) were determined after each 200 m repetition, while heart rate (HR), arm-stroke rate (SR), and arm-stroke length (SL) were measured during each 200 m repetition. Using the speed vs. lactate concentration curve, the speed at lactate threshold (sLT) and parameters corresponding to sLT were calculated (BL-sLT, VO2-sLT, HR-sLT, SR-sLT, and SL-sLT). In the following day, a T30 corresponding to sLT was performed and BL-T30, VO2-T30, HR-T30, SR-T30, and SL-T30 were measured after the 10th and 30th minute, and average values were used for comparison. VO2-sLT was no different compared to VO2-T30 (p > 0.05). BL-T30, HR-T30, and SR-T30 were higher, while SL-T30 was lower compared to BL-sLT, HR-sLT, SR-sLT, and SL-sLT (p < 0.05). Continuous swimming at speed corresponding to lactate threshold may not show the same physiological and biomechanical responses as those calculated by a progressively increasing speed test of 7 × 200 m.

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Influência do uso de palmares e nadadeiras no comportamento do lactato sanguíneo, da frequência cardíaca e do esforço percebido

Brazilian Journal of Kinanthropometry and Human Performance ◽

10.5007/1980-0037.2018v20n2p155 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 155-163

Author(s):

Cristiano Cardoso de Matos ◽

Bruno Costa Teixeira ◽

Flávio Antônio de Souza Castro

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Blood Lactate ◽

Swimming Speed ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Blood Lactate Concentration ◽

Random Order ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Perceived Effort ◽

Intensity Control

One of the great challenges for swim coaches is proper control of the training intensity. This issue is more complex when using equipment such as paddles and fins. Among intensity control parameters, blood lactate concentration is the standard for monitoring metabolic responses, and heart rate and perceived effort are practical and inexpensive methods. The aim of this study was to compare blood lactate concentration ([LA]), heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) in swimming training series without equipment and with paddles and fins. We evaluated 11 swimmers on three different days during sessions in a series of 12 repetitions of 50 m in front crawl. The first session was performed without equipment, maintaining perception exertion at 15 (15 points) of the 6-20 point Borg scale. In the second and third sessions, athletes should swim in the series with: (i) paddles and (ii) fins, at the same swimming speed of the series without equipment, in random order. [LA], HR and RPE at rest (after warm-up and before swimming series) and after the sixth and 12th repetitions were measured and compared. The mean speed for all series was 1.30 ± 0.13 m.s-1; fins and paddles presented lower final [LA] (respectively, 5.9 ± 0.3 and 8.1 ± 0.4 mmol.l-1) and HR values (respectively, 161.1 ± 15, 5 161.1 and 170.3 ± 13.3 170.3 bpm) in comparison to series without equipment (respectively, 10.8 ± 0.7 mmol.l-1 and 178.2 ± 4.3 bpm). Fins had lower final RPE values (12.5 ± 0.6 points) in relation to series without equipment (15.8 ± 0.2 points) and similar values in relation to swimming with paddles. Swimming series with equipment produced lower physiological demands in relation to swimming without equipment if performed at the same swimming speed as swimming without equipment.

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Is Swimmers’ Performance Influenced by Wetsuit Use?

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2018-0891 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 46-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana Gay ◽

Gracia López-Contreras ◽

Ricardo J. Fernandes ◽

Raúl Arellano

Keyword(s):

Blood Lactate ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Blood Lactate Concentration ◽

Swimming Pool ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Stroke Index ◽

Stroke Rate ◽

Stroke Length ◽

Propelling Efficiency

Purpose: To observe changes in performance, physiological, and general kinematic variables induced by the use of wetsuits vs swimsuits in both swimming-pool and swimming-flume conditions. Methods: In a randomized and counterbalanced order, 33 swimmers (26.46 [11.72] y old) performed 2 × 400-m maximal front crawl in a 25-m swimming pool (with wetsuit and swimsuit), and their mean velocities were used later in 2 swimming-flume trials with both suits. Velocity, blood lactate concentration, heart rate (HR), Borg scale (rating of perceived exertion), stroke rate, stroke length (SL), stroke index, and propelling efficiency were evaluated. Results: The 400-m performance in the swimming pool was 0.07 m·s−1 faster when using the wetsuit than when using the swimsuit, evidencing a reduction of ∼6% in time elapsed (P < .001). Maximal HR, maximal blood lactate concentration, rating of perceived exertion, stroke rate, and propelling efficiency were similar when using both swimsuits, but SL and stroke index presented higher values with the wetsuit in both the swimming pool and the swimming flume. Comparing swimming conditions, maximal HR and maximal blood lactate concentration were lower, and SL, stroke index, and propelling efficiency were higher when swimming in the flume than when swimming in the pool with both suits. Conclusions: The 6% velocity improvement was the result of an increase of 4% in SL. Swimmers reduced stroke rate and increased SL to benefit from the hydrodynamic reduction of the wetsuit and increase their swimming efficiency. Wetsuits might be utilized during training seasons to improve adaptations while swimming.

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Monitoring Changes Over a Training Macrocycle in Regional Age‐Group Swimmers

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2019-0014 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 69 (1) ◽

pp. 213-223

Author(s):

Guilherme Tucher ◽

Flávio Antônio de Souza Castro ◽

Nuno Domingos Garrido ◽

Ricardo Jorge Fernandes

Keyword(s):

Lactate Concentration ◽

Stroke Index ◽

Maximal Velocity ◽

Age Group ◽

Rest Interval ◽

Swimming Training ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Stroke Length ◽

Performance Variables ◽

And Performance

Abstract Our aim was to analyze physiological, kinematical and performance changes induced by swimming training in regional age‐group athletes. Subjects (15.7 ± 2.2 years old) performed a 4 x 50‐m front‐crawl test at maximal velocity (10 s rest interval) in weeks 2, 4, 9 and 12 of a 15‐week macrocycle. Descriptive statistics were used and the percentage of change and smallest worthwhile change (moderate, 0.6‐1.2, and large, > 1.2) were measured. Lactate concentration in the third, seventh and twelfth minute of recovery decreased significantly between weeks 2‐9 (14.1, 15.7 and 17.6%) and increased between weeks 9‐12 (18.2, 18.6 and 19.8%), with the HR presenting only trivial variations during the training period. Stroke length showed a large decrease in the first 50‐m trial between weeks 4‐9 (6.2%) and a large increase between weeks 9‐12 (3.1%). The stroke rate (in all 50‐m trials) increased significantly between weeks 4‐9 (3‐ 7%) and the stroke index had a moderate to large increase in the first and third 50‐m trial (3.6 and 7.1%, respectively) between weeks 9‐12. The overall time decreased by 1.1% between weeks 2‐12, being more evident after week 4. We concluded that physiological, kinematical and performance variables were affected by the period of training in regional age‐group swimmers.

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Physiological Responses and Swimming Technique During Upper Limb Critical Stroke Rate Training in Competitive Swimmers

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2019-0026 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 61-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yuki Funai ◽

Masaru Matsunami ◽

Shoichiro Taba

Keyword(s):

Perceived Exertion ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Blood Lactate Concentration ◽

Swimming Velocity ◽

Stroke Rate ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Stroke Length ◽

Optimal Intensity ◽

Competitive Swimmers

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine how arm stroke swimming with critical stroke rate (CSR) control would influence physiological responses and stroke variables in an effort to identify a new swimming training method. Seven well-trained male competitive swimmers (19.9 ± 1.4 years of age) performed maximal 200 and 400 m front crawl swims to determine the CSR and critical swimming velocity (CV), respectively. Thereafter, they were instructed to perform tests with 4 × 400 m swimming bouts at the CSR and CV. The swimming time (CSR test: 278.96 ± 2.70 to 280.87 ± 2.57 s, CV test: 276.17 ± 3.36 to 277.06 ± 3.64 s), heart rate, and rated perceived exertion did not differ significantly between tests for all bouts. Blood lactate concentration after the fourth bout was significantly lower in the CSR test than in the CV test (3.16 ± 1.43 vs. 3.77 ± 1.52 mmol/l, p < 0.05). The stroke rate and stroke length remained stable across bouts in the CSR test, whereas the stroke rate increased with decreased stroke length across bouts in the CV test (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the stroke rate (39.27 ± 1.22 vs. 41.47 ± 1.22 cycles/min, p < 0.05) and stroke length (2.20 ± 0.07 vs. 2.10 ± 0.04 m/stroke, p < 0.05) between the CSR and CV tests in the fourth bout. These results indicate that the CSR could provide the optimal intensity for improving aerobic capacity during arm stroke swimming, and it may also help stabilize stroke technique.

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Effects of a high-intensity swim test on kinematic parameters in high-level athletes

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/h05-012 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 150-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Yannick A Aujouannet ◽

Marco Bonifazi ◽

Frédérique Hintzy ◽

Nicolas Vuillerme ◽

Annie H Rouard

Keyword(s):

Blood Lactate ◽

High Intensity ◽

Biceps Brachii ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Blood Lactate Concentration ◽

Triceps Brachii ◽

Mean Power ◽

Stroke Length ◽

Temporal Parameters ◽

Swim Test

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a high-intensity swim test among top-level swimmers on (i) the spatial and temporal parameters of both the stroke and the 3-D fingertip pattern and (ii) the mechanical, muscular, and physiological parameters. Ten male international swimmers performed a 4 × 50 m swim at maximal intensity. Isometric arm flexion force with the elbow at 90° (F90°), EMG signals of right musculus biceps brachii and triceps brachii and blood lactate concentrations were recorded before and after the swim test. Kinematic stroke (stroke length, rate, and velocity) and spatiotemporal parameters of the fingertip trajectory were measured by two underwater cameras during the first and last 50 m swims. After the swim test, F90° and mean power frequencies of the EMG decreased significantly when blood lactate concentration increased significantly, attesting the reaching of fatigue. From the first to the last 50 m, stroke rate, stroke velocity, and temporal parameters of the fingertip trajectory exhibited significant increases although stroke length and spatial fingertip trajectory remained unchanged. General and individual adaptations were observed among the top-level swimmers studied. The present findings could be useful for coaches in evaluating fatigue effects on the technical parameters of swimming.Key words: sport, fatigue, biomechanic, lactate, force.

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The influence of execution speed on blood lactate concentration in strength training protocol in bench press exercise

Revista Brasileira de Fisiologia do Exercício ◽

10.33233/rbfe.v19i1.3990 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 32

Author(s):

Gustavo Taques Marczynski ◽

Luís Carlos Zattar Coelho ◽

Leonardo Emmanuel De Medeiros Lima ◽

Rodrigo Pereira Da Silva ◽

Dilmar Pinto Guedes Jr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Strength Training ◽

Blood Lactate ◽

Bench Press ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Blood Lactate Concentration ◽

The Third ◽

Fast Speed ◽

Work Volume ◽

Execution Speed ◽

Training Protocol

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of two velocities of execution relative to blood lactate concentration in strength training exercise until the momentary concentric failure. Fifteen men (29.1 ± 5.9 years), trained, participated in the experiment. The volunteers performed three bench press sessions, with an interval of 48 hours between them. At the first session, individuals determined loads through the 10-12 RMs test. In the following two sessions, three series with 90 seconds of interval were performed, in the second session slow execution speed (cadence 3030) and later in the third session fast speed (cadence 1010). For statistical analysis, the Student-T test was used for an independent sample study and considered the value of probability (p) ≤ 0.05 statistically significant. By comparing the number of repetitions and time under tension of the two runs, all series compared to the first presented significant reductions (p < 0.05). The total work volume was higher with the fast speed (p < 0.05). The study revealed that rapid velocities (cadence 1010) present a higher concentration of blood lactate when compared to slow runs (cadence 3030). The blood lactate concentration, in maximum repetitions, is affected by the speed of execution.Keywords: resistance training, cadence, blood lactate.

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