Physiological Responses and Swimming-Performance Changes Induced by Altering the Sequence of Training Sets

• Published in: International journal of sports physiology and performance 2024-01, Vol.19 (1), p.53-61
• Main Authors: Nikitakis, Ioannis S, Bogdanis, Gregory C, Paradisis, Giorgos P, Toubekis, Argyris G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Heart Rate - physiology; Humans; Lactic Acid; Male; Swimming - physiology
• ISSN: 1555-0265; 1555-0273
• DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0082

Interval-training sets may be applied in a different sequence within a swimming training session. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different set sequences on performance and physiological responses in a training session. Twelve highly trained male swimmers performed 4 sessions in randomized order. Each session included a different combination of 2 training sets: set A-set C, set C-set A, set B-set C, or set C-set B. Set A consisted of 8 × 200 m at speed corresponding to lactate threshold (30-s recovery), set B included 8 × 100 m at maximum aerobic speed (30-s recovery), and set C included 4 × 50-m all-out swimming (2-min recovery). Performance and physiological responses (lactate concentration, pH, base excess, bicarbonate, heart rate, and heart-rate variability) were measured. Performance in each set was similar between sessions irrespective of set sequence. Blood lactate, heart rate, and acid-base responses during set C were similar in all sessions, but blood lactate was higher in sets A and B during C-A and C-B sessions (P = .01). The overall blood lactate and acid-base response was higher in C-A and C-B sessions compared with A-C and B-C sessions, respectively (P = .01). Heart-rate variability in each set, separately as well as the overall session effect, did not differ and was thus independent to the set sequence applied. Training sessions including all-out swimming as a first set increase the magnitude of metabolic responses to the subsequent aerobic-dominated training set.