title: Stroking parameters during continuous and intermittent exercise in regional-level competitive swimmers.
abstract: This study aimed to determine whether maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) represents a boundary above which not only physiological but also technical changes occur. On different days, 13 male swimmers (23 ± 9 years) performed the following tests: 1) a 400-m all-out swim, to determine maximal aerobic speed (S-400); 2) a series of 30-min sub-maximal swims, to determine continuous MLSS (MLSSc), and; 3) a series of 12×150 s sub-maximal swims, to determine intermittent MLSS (MLSSi). Stroke rate (SR), distance per stroke cycle (DS) and stroke index (SI) were analyzed at and above (102.5%) MLSSc and MLSSi. MLSSi (1.17 ± 0.09 m.s (- 1)) was significantly higher than MLSSc (1.13 ± 0.08 m.s (- 1)) while blood lactate concentration (mmol.L (- 1)) was similar between the 2 conditions (4.3 ± 1.1 and 4.4 ± 1.5, respectively). The increase in SR and decreases in DS and SI were significant during MLSSi, 102.5% MLSSc and 102.5% MLSSi. During MLSSc, DS also decreased significantly (- 3.6%) but with no change in SR or SI. Thus, stroking technique of regional-level competitive swimmers changes over time when they swim at or above MLSS. This is the case during both continuous and intermittent swimming, despite steady state blood lactate concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Research Group, Physical Education, Florianópolis, Brazil.
authors.forename: M F M
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dekerle
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Denadai
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Greco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid