title: Maximum sustained fin-kick thrust in underwater swimming.
abstract: We examined the upper limit of a diver's fin-kick thrust force using a stationary-swimming ergometer. Heart rate, respiratory minute volume, oxygen uptake, and performance rate were measured in four male subjects who swam constantly for 8 min to maintain a horizontal position against an applied force at a depth of 0.7 m. The water temperature was controlled at 26 degrees +/- 1 degree C. The performance rate, which was the parameter of how well the subjects compensated for the applied load, showed an upper limit around 64 N of sustainable thrust force. This meant that the diver could generate the swimming thrust force within 64 N continuously for 8 min in a steady state. Heart rate, respiratory minute volume, and O2 uptake showed almost proportional increases to the applied load within 64 N and tended to plateau about 69 N.
authors.affiliation: Coastal Research Department, Japan Marine Science & Technology Center, Yokosuka, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shidara
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naraki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004242:Diving / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*