Int J Sports Med 1993; 14(7): 368-372
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1021194
Training and Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Adaptations to Six Months of Aerobic Swim Training

Changes in Velocity, Stroke Rate, Stroke Length and Blood LactateK. Wakayoshi1 , T. Yoshida2 , Y. Ikuta3 , Y. Mutoh4 , M. Miyashita4
  • 1Laboratory of Motor Behavioral Education and
  • 2Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Osaka University, Toyonaka Osaka, Japan
  • 3Laboratory of Swimming Research, College of Osaka Education, Osaka, Japan
  • 4Laboratory for Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics and Sports Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine how swimming velocity (SV), stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL) and blood lactate concentration change as adaptations to six months of aerobic swim training. Subjects were trained male college swimmers (n = 8). Measurements were obtained following specially designed 400 m freestyle swim tests, pre- and post-intervention. The swim test consisted of 4 × 400 m freestyle over two days. On day 1, subjects performed a maximal effort 400 m freestyle swimming trial; maximal mean velocity (V̇max) for each swimmer was calculated from this effort. On the next day, subjects were instructed to perform three 400 m freestyle swims at constant velocities equal to 85%, 90% and 95% of V̇max, respectively. Subjects rested one hour between swims. During each 400 m trial, lap time and time to complete 10 mid-pool strokes (50 m) were measured to determine SV (m · s-1), SR (stroke · min-1) and SL (m · stroke-1). Mixed arterial blood samples were taken at the end of each 400m trial to evaluate blood lactate concentration. Results indicated that post-maximal swimming velocity (V̇postmax) increased significantly from pre-intervention measures (p<0.05). Blood lactate concentration decreased significantly relative to SV and absolute lactate concentration following Vpostmax was significantly lower than that at V̇pre-max (p<0.05). Six of seven subjects increased V̇max due to increases in SL. Mean SL during the second test was significantly higher (p<0.05). Also, during the 400 m maximal test, SL increased significantly after sixth lap (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between SRs. The results of this study suggest that swimming performance improvements as a result of aerobic training are due to increases in SL rather than SR.