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The VO2 slow component in swimming.

S Demarie1, F Sardella, V Billat

  • 1Rome University Institute of Motor Sciences, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00194 Foro Italico Rome, Italy. s.demarie@libero.it

European Journal of Applied Physiology
|June 8, 2001
PubMed
Summary

The oxygen uptake (VO2) slow component, previously observed only in running and cycling, was identified in elite swimmers performing front crawl. This finding suggests the VO2 slow component is present in swimming, though its origins remain unclear.

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Area of Science:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Sports Science
  • Swimming Biomechanics

Background:

  • The oxygen uptake (VO2) slow component is a well-documented phenomenon in endurance sports like cycling and running.
  • Its presence in swimming, a fundamentally different discipline, has not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if the VO2 slow component occurs during front crawl swimming.
  • To investigate the physiological responses during maximal swimming efforts.

Main Methods:

  • Six elite pentathletes performed front crawl swimming to exhaustion in a swimming flume.
  • Swimming velocity for the slow component test was calculated using critical velocity (CV) and peak VO2 velocity (vVO2peak).
  • Gas exchange was measured using a telemetric metabolimeter connected to a snorkel.

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Main Results:

  • The VO2 slow component was observed in all participants.
  • A mean VO2 slow component of 239 (194) mlO2.min-1 was recorded.
  • The phenomenon was present despite the distinct biomechanics of swimming compared to running and cycling.

Conclusions:

  • Front crawl swimming elicits a VO2 slow component, similar to running and cycling.
  • The physiological mechanisms underlying the VO2 slow component in swimming require further investigation.
  • This study expands our understanding of VO2 kinetics in diverse athletic disciplines.