In synchronized swimming, complex maneuvers are developed in the water alternating air breathing and apnea episodes, which activate complex and adjusted mechanisms for respiratory compensation. The aim of this study is to propose a specific laboratory test for the assessment of the functional respiratory adaptations during exercise with apnea periods in synchronized swimmers. We studied 25 women, of which 13 were elite synchronized swimmers and the other 12 were a control group. A laboratory test was performed on a cycle ergometer consisting of 4 minutes pedalling at a constant intensity of 1.5 watts/kg (test 1). After 30 minutes at rest, a new test was performed alternating free respiration and apnea periods of 15 seconds at the same intensity (test 2). In both tests HR, V·E, VT, BF, V·O2, V·CO2, and lactate were analyzed. We observed an increase in V·E, V·O2, and V·CO2 in the 13 swimmers in test 2, with no change in HR and lactate, and a constant relationship between V·E and V·CO2 equal for tests 1 and 2. In the control group only 6 women completed test 2, the other 6 stopped before the third minute. In this group, important differences were observed in relation to the swimmers: both heart rate and lactate increased in test 2 and showed an increase in the V·E vs. V·CO2 relationship which involved a different slope for test 1 and test 2. We conclude that functional respiratory adaptations induced by apnea during synchronized swimming are essential in this sport and the test proposed may be a useful tool to assess the physical performance in synchronized swimmers.
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