The acute effects of controlled breathing swimming on glycolytic parameters

Hypoxic Training, which has been popular in swimming for the past few years, is more correctly called Controlled Breathing Swimming (CBS). This study investigated the acute effects of CBS on blood glucose (GL), lactate (LA), pH, PvCO2, and recovery oxygen uptake. Six male swimmers were studied in two separate swimming sessions using two breathing patterns--free breathing (FB), and 7-stroke breathing (7B). For each session venous blood samples were drawn prior to the swim (Rest), immediately after the swim (IA), and during the 6th minute of recovery (6-R). Analyses for GL, LA, pH, and PvCO2 were carried out, and recovery VO2 (20 minutes) was calculated. Significant increased due to the exercise sessions themselves were found in both GL (p less than 0.05), and LA (p less than 0.05) concentrations. Between the two swim protocols, no significant difference was observed except for a significantly greater % CO2 production after the 7B swim (p less than 0.05). These results indicated that the acute CBS did not induce more glycolytic metabolic activity than did the normal swimming protocol.