$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$ kinetics and energy contribution in simulated maximal performance during short and middle distance-trials in swimming

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze swimmers’ oxygen uptake kinetics ($\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$K) and bioenergetic profiles in 50, 100, and 200 m simulated swimming events and determine which physiological variables relate with performance.

Methods

Twenty-eight well-trained swimmers completed an incremental test for maximal oxygen uptake (Peak-$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$) and maximal aerobic velocity (MAV) assessment. Maximal trials (MT) of 50, 100, and 200-m in front crawl swimming were performed for $\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$K and bioenergetic profile. $\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$K parameters were calculated through monoexponential modeling and by a new growth rate method. The recovery phase was used along with the blood lactate concentration for bioenergetics profiling.

Results

Peak-$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$ (57.47 ± 5.7 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ for male and 53.53 ± 4.21 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ for female) did not differ from $\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$_peak attained at the 200-MT for female and at the 100 and 200-MT for male. From the 50-MT to 100-MT and to the 200-MT the $\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$K presented slower time constants (8.6 ± 2.3 s, 11.5 ± 2.4 s and 16.7 ± 5.5 s, respectively), the aerobic contribution increased (~ 34%, 54% and 71%, respectively) and the anaerobic decreased (~ 66%, 46% and 29%, respectively), presenting a cross-over in the 100-MT. Both energy systems, MAV, Peak-$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$, and $\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$ peak of the MT’s were correlated with swimming performance.

Discussion

The aerobic energy contribution is an important factor for performance in 50, 100, and 200-m, regardless of the time taken to adjust the absolute oxidative response, when considering the effect on a mixed-group regarding sex. $\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$K speeding could be explained by a faster initial pacing strategy used in the shorter distances, that contributed for a more rapid increase of the oxidative contribution to the energy turnover.