A Comparative Study of Blood Lactate Tests in Swimming*

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