Biomechanics, energetics and coordination during extreme swimming intensity: effect of performance level.
The present study aimed to examine how high- and low-speed swimmers organise biomechanical, energetic and coordinative factors throughout extreme intensity swim. Sixteen swimmers (eight high- and eight low-speed) performed, in free condition, 100-m front crawl at maximal intensity and 25, 50 and 75-m bouts (at same pace as the previous 100-m), and 100-m maximal front crawl on the measuring active drag system (MAD-system). A 3D dual-media optoelectronic system was used to assess speed, stroke frequency, stroke length, propelling efficiency and index of coordination (IdC), with power assessed by MAD-system and energy cost by quantifying oxygen consumption plus blood lactate. Both groups presented a similar profile in speed, power output, stroke frequency, stroke length, propelling efficiency and energy cost along the effort, while a distinct coordination profile was observed (F(3, 42)= 3.59, P = 0.04). Speed, power, stroke frequency and propelling efficiency (not significant, only a tendency) were higher in high-speed swimmers, while stroke length and energy cost were similar between groups. Performing at extreme intensity led better level swimmers to achieve superior speed due to higher power and propelling efficiency, with consequent ability to swim at higher stroke frequencies. This imposes specific constraints, resulting in a distinct IdC magnitude and profile between groups.
a Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.|b Porto Biomechanics Laboratory , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
João
J
Ribeiro
c School of Physical Education , Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre , Brazil.|d Department of Kinesiology , University of Maryland , College Park , MD , USA.
Pedro
P
Figueiredo
b Porto Biomechanics Laboratory , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
Sara
S
Morais
e Faculty of Human Movement Technical , University of Lisbon , Lisbon , Portugal.
Francisco
F
Alves
f School of Sports and Nutrition , Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences , Amsterdam , Netherlands.
Huub
H
Toussaint
a Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.|b Porto Biomechanics Laboratory , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
João Paulo
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4109-2939
JP
Vilas-Boas
a Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.|b Porto Biomechanics Laboratory , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
Ricardo Jorge
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5811-0443
RJ
Fernandes
D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D019344:Lactic Acid
Kinematics; coordination; energy cost; front crawl; power; propelling efficiency