How Narrow is the Spectrum of Submaximal Speeds in Swimming?

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2013-05, Vol.27 (5), p.1450-1454
• Main Authors: Greco, Camila C., de Oliveira, Mariana F.M., Caputo, Fabrizio, Denadai, Benedito S., Dekerle, Jeanne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anaerobic Threshold; Athletic Performance - physiology; Exercise; Exercise Test; Human performance; Humans; Male; Males; Physical Education and Training - methods; Physical Endurance; Sports training; Swimming; Swimming - physiology; Velocity; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318265a6ce

ABSTRACTGreco, CC, de Oliveira, MFM, Caputo, F, Denadai, BS, and Dekerle, J. How narrow is the spectrum of submaximal speeds in swimming? J Strength Cond Res 27(5)1450–1454, 2013—The purpose of this study was to identify the boundary of submaximal speed zones (i.e., exercise intensity domains) between maximal aerobic speed (S-400) and lactate threshold (LT) in swimming. A 400-m all-out test, a 7 × 200 m incremental step test, and two to four 30-minute submaximal tests were performed by 12 male endurance swimmers (age = 24.5 ± 9.6 years; body mass = 71.3 ± 9.8 kg) to determine S-400, speed corresponding to LT, and maximal lactate steady state (MLSS). S-400 was 1.30 ± 0.09 m·s (400 m—5:08 minutes:seconds). The speed at LT (1.08 ± 0.02 m·s; 83.1 ± 2.2 %S-400) was lower than the speed at MLSS (1.14 ± 0.02 m·s; 87.5 ± 1.9 %S-400). Maximal lactate steady state occurred at 26 ± 10% of the difference between the speed at LT and S-400. Mean blood lactate values at the speeds corresponding to LT and MLSS were 2.45 ± 1.13 mmol·L and 4.30 ± 1.32 mmol·L, respectively. The present findings demonstrate that the range of intensity zones between LT and MLSS (i.e., heavy domain) and between MLSS and S-400 (i.e., severe domain) are very narrow in swimming with LT occurring at 83% S-400 in trained swimmers. Precision and sensitivity of the measurement of aerobic indexes (i.e., LT and MLSS) should be considered when conducting exercise training and testing in swimming.