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A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers
Published on: January 28, 2020
Time limit at VO2max velocity in elite crawl swimmers
R J Fernandes1, K L Keskinen, P Colaço
1Swimming, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. ricfer@fade.up.pt <ricfer@fade.up.pt>
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|November 9, 2007
Summary
Elite swimmers
Area of Science:
- Sports Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Swimming Performance
Background:
- Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is a key indicator of aerobic fitness in athletes.
- Understanding the determinants of time to exhaustion at VO2max is crucial for optimizing training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the time limit at the minimum velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen consumption (TLim-vVO2max) in elite swimmers.
- To identify the primary physiological and biomechanical factors influencing TLim-vVO2max.
Main Methods:
- Eight elite swimmers completed an incremental test to determine vVO2max.
- Subjects then performed an all-out swim at vVO2max until exhaustion, with direct VO2 measurement.
- Blood lactate, heart rate, and stroke parameters were also monitored.
Main Results:
- TLim-vVO2max averaged 243.2 seconds, with vVO2max at 1.45 m/s.
- Positive correlation found between TLim-vVO2max and VO2 slow component.
- Negative correlations observed with body surface area, delta lactate, vVO2max, anaerobic threshold velocity, and VO2max energy cost.
Conclusions:
- Higher vVO2max and anaerobic threshold velocity in swimmers may lead to a lower TLim-vVO2max.
- Body surface area, energy cost, and anaerobic rate appear to influence time to exhaustion at VO2max.
- The VO2 slow component is a significant determinant of TLim-vVO2max in elite swimmers.
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