Biochemical Evaluation of Maximal Training Tests in Swimming

Konstantinos Kalitsis, Athanasios Kabasakalis, Georgios Tsalis & Vassilis Mougios

Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to compare the blood lactate concentrations after three maximal tests of equal duration: a) 100-m swimming, b) partially tethered swimming and c) biokinetic swim-bench. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation of the performance parameters that characterize the above tests with the blood lactate concentration after them. Eleven male and seven female competitive swimmers partici pated in this study. Capillary blood samples were obtained 3, 5, 7 and 9 min after the end of each test to de- fine the highest lactate concentration. Analysis of the results showed significantly lower lactate concentration after the swim-bench test (12.8 mmol/L in male and 9.1 mmol/L in female swimmers) in comparison with the 100-m swim (14.8 and 13.5 mmol/L, respectively) or the partially tethered swimming test (15.3 and 13.4 mmol/L, respectively). The swimming velocity of females in the 100-m test and the power output of males in the swim-bench test were positively correlated with the lactate concentration after each of these tests (r =.773, p < .05, and r = .595, p < .05, respectively). In conclusion, there was a difference among the three tests with regard to maximal blood lactate concentration. However, the lactate concentrations were high enough to render both the partially tethered swimming and the training in the biokinetic swim-bench appropriate for the development of anaerobic lactic capacity. Furthermore, there was limited correlation between per- formance and lactate concentration.

Keywords: blood lactate, swim performance, partially tethered swimming, swim-bench