Is the New AquaTrainer® Snorkel Valid for VO2 Assessment in Swimming?

C. Baldari; R. J. Fernandes; M. Meucci; J. Ribeiro; J.P. Vilas-Boas; L. Guidetti

doi:10.1055/s-0032-1321804

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(04): 336-344
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1321804

Training & Testing

Is the New AquaTrainer^® Snorkel Valid for VO₂ Assessment in Swimming?

C. Baldari

¹Health Sciences Department, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy

,

R. J. Fernandes

²Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

³Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

,

M. Meucci

¹Health Sciences Department, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy

,

J. Ribeiro

²Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

,

J.P. Vilas-Boas

²Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

³Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

,

L. Guidetti

¹Health Sciences Department, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

The Cosmed AquaTrainer^® snorkel, in connection with the K4b² analyzer, is the most recent instrument used for real time gas analysis during swimming. This study aimed to test if a new AquaTrainer^® snorkel with 2 (SV2) or 4 (SV4) valves is comparable to a standard face mask (Mask) being valid for real time gas analysis under controlled laboratory and swimming pool conditions. 9 swimmers performed 2 swimming and 3 cycling tests at 3 different workloads on separate days. Tests were performed in random order, at constant exercise load with direct turbine temperature measurements, breathing with Mask, SV4 and SV2 while cycling, and with SV2 and SV4 while swimming. A high agreement was obtained using Passing – Bablok regression analysis in oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, tidal volumes, pulmonary ventilation, expiratory fraction of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and heart rate comparing different conditions in swimming and cycling. Proportional and fixed differences were always rejected (95% CI always contained the value 1 for the slope and the 0 for the intercept). In conclusion, the new SV2 AquaTrainer^® snorkel, can be considered a valid device for gas analysis, being comparable to the Mask and the SV4 in cycling, and to the SV4 in swimming.

Key words

respiratory valves - K4b² - oxygen consumption - energetics

Full Text

References

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