Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming XI

Figure 2. Repeatability of the LTind by Dmax analysis in two 10·100 meter swims.
BiomechanicsandmedicineinswimmingXi
reFerences
Cheng, B., Kuipers H., Snyder A.C., Keizer H.A., Jeukendrup A. &
Hesselink M. (1992). A new approach for the determination of ventilatory
and lactate threshold. Int J Sports Med, 13, 518-522.
Goodwin, M.L., Harris, J.E., Hernándes, A. & Gladden, L.B. (2007).
Blood lactate measurements and analysis during exercise: a guide for
clinicians. J Diabetes Sci Tech, 1(4), 558-69.
Keskinen, K.L., Komi, P.V. & Rusko, H. (1987). A comparative study
of blood lactate tests in swimming. Int J Sports Med, 10(3), 197201.
Gullstrand, L. & Holmer, I. (1980) Fysiologiska tester av landslagssimmare:
Anaerob energi-leveransmätningen av blodmjölksyra [Physiological
tests for national team swimmers: Measurement of anaerobic
Figure 3. Comparison between Dmax and linear estimation methods in energy metabolism by blood lactate] Simsport, 3, 1517.
Figure defining 3. LT. Comparison between Dmax and linear estimation methods in Mader, defining A., LT. Heck, H. & Hollmann, W. (1978). Evaluation of lactic acid
anaerobic energy contribution by determination of post-exercise lac-
DISCUSSION
dIscussIon
tic acid concentration of ear capillary blood in middle-distance run-
The present study was designed to to test test whether whether the the four four analysis analysis tech- techniques ners would and swimmers. show In: Landry F. & Orban W.A.R., Exercise Physiol-
results niques would reliably show in results both reliably test-retest in both and test-retest analysis-to-analysis and analysis-to- comparisons. ogy, 4, The 187200. major Symposia specialists, Miami, Florida.
finding analysis was comparisons. that the n·100-m The major pool finding testing was protocol that the (Gullstrand n·100-m pool & Holmer, Pyne, 1980) D.B., Lee can H. be & Swanwick K.M. (2001). Monitoring the lactate
repeated testing protocol with a (Gullstrand very high & reliability, Holmer, 1980) thus confirming can be repeated the with hypothesis. a This threshold is the in world most ranked swimmers. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 33(2), 291
important very high reliability, determinant thus for confirming successful the hypothesis. testing and This fulfills is the most the basic – requirement 297. of
reliable measurement. As shown by Pyne et al. (2001), standardized Simon, blood G., Thiesmann, lactate M., Clasing, D. & Frohberger, V. (1982). Ergometrie
im Wasser - eine neue Methode der Leistungsdiagnostik
[Ergometry in water – a new method for performance evaluation]. In:
Sport: Leistung und Gesundheit, 1, 38-43. Köln, BRD.
Stegmann, H., Kindermann, W. & Schnabel, A. (1981). A lactate kinetics
and individual anaerobic threshold. Int J Sports Med, 2, 160 – 165.
Svedahl, K. & MacIntosh, B.R. (2003). Anaerobic threshold: the concept
and methods of measurement. Can J Appl Physiol, 28, 299 – 323.
important determinant for successful testing and fulfills the basic requirement
of reliable measurement. As shown by Pyne et al. (2001),
standardized blood lactate testing can be used successfully in monitoring
changes in swimming performance over a training year. The strength
of our study was that the swimming velocity was accurately controlled
with pace-lights. In turning the swimmers were advised to regulate their
speed during the push-off from the turning wall.
The second requirement for reliable testing is that the test results can
be analyzed objectively. Our two experienced analysts showed identical
results in three out of four methods (D max , V 4 and V ∆1 ), which constitutes
the reliability of these investigations. Linear estimation which required
visual inspection and a subjective decision, revealed a smaller degree of
reliability although the reliability still was significant and very high. It is
therefore suggested that mathematical handling of the analysis should be
preferred to keep subjective influence to a minimum. The analysis method
suggested by Cheng et al. (1992) seems to be the method of choice when
determining LT from the BLa-velocity association.
Finally, for the test to be applicable to regular training practice
it must also be valid. Previously Keskinen et al. (1987) observed that
the n·100 meter test (Gullstrand & Holmer, 1980) could be compared
to both the n·300 meter (Simon et al. 1982) and the 2·400 meter test
(Mader et al., 1978). Keskinen et al. (1987) found that when compared
with the V 4 of the 2∙400 meter test the same velocity in the n∙100 meter
test was found at 0.5 mmol·l -1 increase in blood lactate above the initial
lowest level. Similar velocity was found in the n∙300 meter test at 1.5
mmol·l -1 increase in blood lactate above the basic level.
The present results showed that the LT as analyzed by both D max
and linear estimation techniques corresponded well between each other,
but there were significant differences to both V 4 and V ∆1 . Conclusively,
even though the determination of LT can be done similarly in various
testing protocols, each protocol has its own distinctives to be taken
into account. Cautiousness must therefore be practiced when exercise
prescription is applied to athletes. Both over- and under-estimation of
training speeds may deteriorate balanced development of the athlete.
conclusIons
It is concluded that the test-retest reliability of the n·100 meter swimming
test was high indicating that the method itself was repeatable and
is a useful means of monitoring changes in indicators of physical fitness
in swimming. Also, the analyses offered reliable results which can be
used for prescription of training. From the analysis-to-analysis comparisons
the necessity to understand their specific characters must be emphasized.
The original speed at which the LT appear depends specifically
on the protocol being used.
266
AcKnoWledGeMents
We greatly acknowledge the swimmers and coaches who participated in
performing this study. We also want to thank the parents of the swimmers
who gave their support to the research team. The personnel of the
Aalto Alvari Swimming facility provided proper work conditions to run
the experiments.