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Physiological responses in relation to performance during competition in elite synchronized swimmers
Lara Rodríguez-Zamora1, Xavier Iglesias, Anna Barrero
1INEFC-Barcelona Sports Sciences Research Group, Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Plos One
|November 17, 2012
Summary
Elite synchronized swimmers exhibit intense cardiovascular responses and moderate lactate accumulation during competition. Anticipatory heart rate and bradycardia correlate with performance variability, indicating adaptive training responses.
Area of Science:
- Sports Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Synchronized swimming demands high levels of physical exertion.
- Understanding physiological responses is crucial for optimizing training and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize cardiovascular, lactate, and perceived exertion responses in junior and senior elite synchronized swimmers during competition.
- To investigate the relationship between these physiological responses and overall performance outcomes.
Main Methods:
- 34 elite senior and junior synchronized swimmers were monitored during 96 competitive routines.
- Continuous heart rate monitoring, peak blood lactate measurement, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) assessment were employed.
- Competition scores were obtained from official records.
Main Results:
- Peak heart rates reached 191.7 ± 8.7 beats·min⁻¹, with significant bradycardic events observed.
- Mean peak blood lactate levels varied by routine type, being highest in free solo and duet.
- Juniors reported higher RPE than seniors, and heart rate variability predicted 26% of performance score variability.
Conclusions:
- Synchronized swimming competition involves intense anticipatory heart rate increases and tachycardia, interspersed with bradycardia during apnea.
- Moderate lactate accumulation suggests metabolic adaptations, potentially influenced by the diving response.
- Routines are perceived as highly intense, particularly solo and duet events, with cardiac responses linked to performance variability.
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