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The Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload Determines Individual Swimming Performance.
Gernot O Hering1, Jens Stepan1,2
1Department of Sport and Health Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
Frontiers in Physiology
|May 13, 2021
Summary
The maximal lactate steady state workload (MLSSW) is key for swimming endurance. This study shows MLSSW accurately predicts individual swimming performance and guides training intensity.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Swimming Performance Analytics
Background:
- Lactate threshold (LT) and maximal lactate steady state workload (MLSSW) are crucial for endurance but their role in swimming is unclear.
- Accurate assessment of these physiological markers is vital for optimizing training and performance in competitive swimmers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relevance of LT and MLSSW to individual swimming performance.
- To validate a novel single-exercise test for determining LT and MLSSW in front crawl swimming.
- To establish the relationship between MLSSW and competitive swimming speed.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of a custom visual light pacer for real-time speed control during front crawl.
- Determination of LT and MLSSW using a single-exercise protocol measuring blood lactate accumulation.
- Comparison of MLSSW with actual competition swimming speeds (S-Comp) across different distances.
Main Results:
- Minute speed variations significantly impacted blood lactate levels near LT.
- The "individual lactate threshold" (ILT)-test demonstrated high reproducibility and validity for MLSSW determination.
- Mean competition speed was 3.4% above MLSSW, with greater differences in longer-distance swimmers.
- Individual variations in the difference between S-Comp and MLSSW strongly influenced overall performance.
Conclusions:
- MLSSW is a primary determinant of individual swimming performance and reflects endurance capacity.
- The ILT-test provides a reliable method for assessing MLSSW in swimmers.
- MLSSW is suitable for adjusting training intensity in moderate to severe exercise domains for swimmers.
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