Time Limit at V·O_2max Velocity in Elite Crawl Swimmers

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess, with elite crawl swimmers, the time limit at the minimum velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen consumption (TLim-vV·O_2max), and to characterize its main determinants. Eight subjects performed an incremental test for vV·O_2max assessment and, forty-eight hours later, an all-out swim at vV·O_2max until exhaustion. V·O₂ was directly measured using a telemetric portable gas analyzer and a visual pacer was used to help the swimmers keeping the predetermined velocities. Blood lactate concentrations, heart rate and stroke parameter values were also measured. TLim-vV·O_2max and vV·O_2max, averaged, respectively, 243.2 ± 30.5 s and 1.45 ± 0.08 m · s^-1. TLim-vV·O_2max correlated positively with V·O₂ slow component (r = 0.76, p < 0.05). Negative correlations were found between TLim-vV·O_2max and body surface area (r = - 0.80) and delta lactate (r = - 0.69) (p < 0.05), and with vV·O_2max (r = - 0.63), v corresponding to anaerobic threshold (r = - 0.78) and the energy cost corresponding to vV·O_2max (r = - 0.62) (p < 0.10). No correlations were observed between TLim-vV·O_2max and stroking parameters. This study confirmed the tendency to TLim-vV·O_2max be lower in the swimmers who presented higher vV·O_2max and vAnT, possibly explained by their higher surface area, energy cost and anaerobic rate. Additionally, O₂SC seems to be a determinant of TLim-vV·O_2max.

Key words

time limit - velocity at V·O_2max - elite swimmers

References

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