Relationship between swimming velocity and lactic concentration during continuous and intermittent training exercises

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Understanding the relationship between blood lactic acid and swimming velocity is crucial for optimizing training.
• The "two-speed test" offers a potential method for assessing training intensities.
• Elite swimmers' physiological responses to different exercise protocols require detailed examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between capillary blood lactic acid concentration and swimming velocity.
• To evaluate the utility of the "two-speed test" for determining training intensity adjustments.
• To analyze these relationships across various endurance swimming exercises.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-nine elite male swimmers performed 11 endurance exercise protocols, including continuous and interval swimming.
• The "two-speed test" was utilized to calculate velocity at 4 mmol/l lactic acid (V4).
• Lactic acid concentration and swimming velocity were measured during maximal and submaximal efforts.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation (r=0.82) was observed between swimming speed and lactic acid concentration during 30-min continuous swimming near V4.
• Velocity V4 showed significant correlations with both lactic acid concentration (r=-0.58) and swimming speed (r=0.97) in a 30-min maximal test.
• Interval swimming with short rest periods (10s and 30s) allowed for higher swimming velocities at equivalent lactic acid levels compared to continuous swimming.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms a strong relationship between lactic acid accumulation and swimming velocity in elite swimmers.
• Results suggest the "two-speed test" can provide valuable data for tailoring training intensities.
• Optimizing training intensity based on lactic acid profiles can enhance endurance performance.