Time Limit and V·O₂ Slow Component at Intensities Corresponding to V·O₂max in Swimmers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure, in swimming pool conditions and with high level swimmers, the time to exhaustion at the minimum velocity that elicits maximal oxygen consumption (TLim at vV·O₂max), and the corresponding V·O₂ slow component (O₂SC). The vV·O₂max was determined through an intermittent incremental test (n = 15). Forty-eight hours later, TLim was assessed using an all-out swim at vV·O₂max until exhaustion. V·O₂ was measured through direct oximetry and the swimming velocity was controlled using a visual light-pacer. Blood lactate concentrations and heart rate values were also measured. Mean V·O₂max for the incremental test was 5.09 ± 0.53 l/min and the corresponding vV·O₂max was 1.46 ± 0.06 m/s. Mean TLim value was 260.20 ± 60.73 s and it was inversely correlated with the velocity of anaerobic threshold (r = -0.54, p < 0.05). This fact, associated with the inverse relationship between TLim and vV·O₂max (r = -0.47, but only for p < 0.10), suggested that swimmers’ lower level aerobic metabolic rate might be associated with a larger capacity to sustain that exercise intensity. O₂SC reached 274.11 ± 152.83 l/min and was correlated with TLim (r = 0.54), increased ventilation in TLim test (r = 0.52) and energy cost of the respiratory muscles (r = 0.51), for p < 0.05. These data suggest that O₂SC was also observed in the swimming pool, in high level swimmers performing at vV·O₂max, and that higher TLim seems to correspond to higher expected O₂SC amplitude. These findings seem to bring new data with application in middle distance swimming.

Key words

Swimming - assessment - high intensity exercise

References

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