Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(3): 173-181
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1105939
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Fin Swimming Improves Respiratory Gas Exchange

Y. Jammes 1 , M. Coulange 2 , S. Delliaux 1 , C. Jammes 3 , Y. Gole 3 , A. Boussuges 1 , C. Brerro-Saby 1 , A. Ba 4 , T. Marqueste 5 , N. Adjriou 1
  • 1Faculty of Medicine, UMR MD2 P2COE, Marseille, France
  • 2Hyperbaric Medicine, Hopital Ste Marguerite, Marseille, France
  • 3IMNSSA, UMR-MD2 P2COE, Marseille, France
  • 4Physiologie humaine, Faculté de Médecine, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
  • 5Faculté des Sciences du Sport, UMR 6233-Institut des Sciences du Mouvement, Marseille cedex 09, France
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision September 25, 2008

Publication Date:
06 February 2009 (online)

Abstract

Data in the literature suggest that compared to dry-land exercise fin swimming might delay the activation of the anaerobic metabolism. To verify this hypothesis, we explored indirect indices such as the oxygen pulse (VO2/HR), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and ventilatory threshold, comparing fin swimming exercise to dry-land cycling. Thirteen participants, experienced or inexperienced in fin swimming, completed an incremental fin swimming exercise and a maximal exercise on a cycloergometer with breath-by-breath measurements of heart rate (HR), ventilation (VE), tidal volume (VT), VO2, VCO2, and VO2/HR and determination of the ventilatory threshold and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Compared to dry-land cycling exercise, fin swimming resulted in elevated or absent ventilatory threshold. Although VO2max did not differ in either condition, in fin swimming the maximal HR value was lower (−18%, p=0.0072), maximal VO2/HR higher (+20%, p=0.0325), and maximal VCO2 lower (−17%, p=0.0071). We also measured significant reduction of VE, VT, and HR variations for the same VO2 increase. This study suggests that the anaerobic muscle metabolism might be delayed in fin swimming. An attenuated chemoreflex drive to the heart and respiratory centres exerted by muscle metabolites might explain the depressed cardiopulmonary response to fin swimming.

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Correspondence

Prof. Y. JammesMD, DSci 

Faculty of Medicine

UMR MD2 P2COE

Bd. Pierre Dramard

13916 cedex 20

Marseille

France

Phone: 33/49/169 89 25

Fax: 33/49/169 89 27

Email: yves.jammes@univmed.fr

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