Abstract
Three different modes of lactate tests were studied. Eleven male competitive swimmers
performed the tests (n · 100 m, n · 300 m, 2 · 100m + 2 · 400 m) within 5 days. Swimming
velocity (V) vs blood lactate (BLa) and V vs heart rate (HR) curves were averaged.
In V vs BLa comparisons, the BLa values of 4 mmol·l-1 in 2 · 400 m, 3 mmol·l-1 in n · 300 m, and 2 mmol·l-1 in n · 100 m modes were found to correspond to the same V. Although the resting BLa
values were similar before the testing occasions, the initial BLa value in very easy
swimming was lower in the n · 300 m than in the n · 100 m mode. The elimination of
lactate most probably caused this difference. The highest BLa value was measured in
the n · 100 m (14.9 mmol·l-1) and 2 · 100 m (13.6 mmol·l-1) exercise modes demonstrating a higher rate of anaerobic energy production than in
the n · 300 m or 2 · 400 m test modes. In HR vs V comparison, the n · 300 m and 2
· 400 m modes demonstrated similar HR values in relation to V. To measure the whole
intensity area, a combination of tests should be applied by performing an incremental
set with several steady-state loadings (aerobic) and one or two 100 m swims (anaerobic)
in one test session.
Key words
Blood lactate - heart rate - velocity - swimming
