Introduction: Oxygen uptake kinetics (VO2K) is an important method for sports performance analysis, as faster kinetics seem to delay fatigue and improve performance. In swimming, VO2K studies focus mainly on submaximal transitions, however 95% of swimming events are performed at maximal or supramaximal intensities. This study aimed to describe the VO2K response at 50, 100 and 200 meters front crawl performance. Methods: Fourteen well trained male swimmers (age 16.57 ± 1.8 yr.; mass 70.5 ± 9.95 kg; height 1.78 ± 0.08 m) completed a discontinuous incremental test designed with 6x250m plus 1x200m steps for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) assessment, as well as the maximal aerobic swimming velocity (MAV). In complementary days and in randomized order swimmers maximal performance at 50, 100 and 200 meters were evaluated for VO2peak (VO2peak50, VO2peak100, VO2peak200, respectively), oxygen deficit determination and VO2K analysis. VO2K parameters (time delay, time constant and amplitude) were determined using a monoexponential modelling. All tests were conducted using a breath-by-breath apparatus (K4b2, Cosmed, Italy) connected to a swimming snorkel (AquaTrainer, Cosmed, Italy) for pulmonary gas sampling. Results: VO2peak (58.1 ± 6.3 ml/kg/min) was significantly different from VO2peak50 and VO2peak100 (49.5 ± 4,9 and 55.6 ± 6,1 ml/kg/min, respectively), but not from VO2peak200 (57.7 ± 6.8 ml/kg/min). MAV (1.31 ± 0.07 m/s) was significantly different from the 50 and 100 m velocity (1.66 ± 0.11 and 1.49 ± 0,08 m/s, respectively), but didn`t show significant differences with the 200 m velocity (1.32 ± 0.07 m/s). Time delay and amplitude didn`t present any significant differences between distances, but the time constant ( p) does, reducing as the exercise became shorter and more intense (8.1 ± 2.2 s vs 11.2 ± 2.3 s vs 16.3 ± 6.9 s for the 50, 100 and 200 m, respectively). Oxygen deficit didn`t show any significant differences. Discussion: The VO2peak obtained in the incremental test was only reached in the 200m time trial, however we could say that near maximal values of VO2 (approximately 96%) can be reached within 1 min of strenuous exercise, as seen in the 100m trial. This results are in line with Carter et al (2006) and Hettinga et al (2008) that observe similar results performed in running and cycling, respectively. Despite the VO2 response was faster as the swimming trials became shorter, the differences on oxygen deficit at the onset of each trial was not observed.
© Copyright 2016 21st Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Vienna, 6. -9. July 2016. Veröffentlicht von University of Vienna. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.