title: Blood lactate and stroke parameters during front crawl in elite swimmers with disability.
abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to compare the blood lactate concentration ([La]), stroke distance (D(s)), and swim index (SI) during an incremental swim test (IST) in elite swimmers who had a loss in mobility (LM) (n = 6) or who had full mobility (FM) (n = 5) of the lower limbs. The IST consisted of 5 repeats of either 100 or 200 m front crawl depending upon the ability level of the swimmer. The [La] and heart rate measured during the IST showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). However, velocity (V(s)) and D(s) were all significantly lower (p < 0.01) during the IST. SI was significantly (p < 0.01) lower during repeats 1 to 3 and 5, but not repeat 4. These data indicate that the [La] response to incremental exercise is similar during incremental front crawl activity in swimmers suffering from loss of lower limb mobility. However, a critical V(s) is reached in LM swimmers where swimming efficiency is optimal compared with FM swimmers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Bath, Bath, England. sppdjb@bath.ac.uk.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Lars R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: McNaughton
authors.forename: Alan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Batterham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000502:physiology; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid