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The present study examined the blood lactate responses of female swimmers at intensity corresponding to critical velocity (CV). Eight children (C), eleven youth (Y) and seven adults (A) were timed in distances of 50, 100, 200, 400 m for the CV calculation. On a following day the C performed 5×300 m and the Y and A 5×400 m repetitions with 30-40 s interval, at CV. Blood lactate concentration ([La]) was similar between groups and maintained steady within a range of 3.5×00B1;1.2 to 5.1×00B1;1.6 mmol.L-1 (p>0.05). RPE and RPE/[La] ratio were no different between groups (p>0.05) and increased after the second and third repetition respectively in all groups (p<0.05). During 28-31 min intermittent swimming, children, youth and adult female swimmers are able to sustain CV with a steady [La] despite an increased subjective perception of fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight competitive swimmers performed a series of maximum intensity tethered swimming tests using full-stroke, arms only, right and left arm only. In all tests, the force of each arm-stroke was determined. The validity of each arm-stroke separation was tested in advance using overwater and underwater video recordings (ICC=0.939, and 0.974, p<0.05). The reliability of force measurement for each arm-stroke was tested in a separate group of swimmers (ICC=0.985, and 0.975, p<0.05). Swimming force was not different between right and left arm-stroke in all tests (p>0.05). Right and left, single arm-stroke forces were correlated between tests (r=0.79 to r=0.92, p<0.05). Specific force of each arm-stroke can be reliably measured during tethered swimming using a valid separation of each arm-stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a four-week training period closing with a two-week taper before a National competition (NC) the training load (TL) of twelve young swimmers (age: 14.2±1.3 yrs) was calculated by the product of the session-RPE score with the training duration. Tethered swimming force (TF), hand-grip strength (HG) and body fat (BF) evaluated 34, 20 and 6 days before the NC were unchanged (p>0.05). The TL difference of week 4 vs. week 1 before the NC was related to percent performance change (0.11±1.6%, p>0.05; r=0.63, p<0.05). The TF, HG and BF changes were not related to performance changes (p>0.05). The TL changes alone accounted for 40% (r2=0.4, SEE=1.37%, p<0.05) of the variation of percentage performance changes. The session-RPE training load calculation may be useful for effective taper planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predictors of the 50 m front-crawl performance were examined in 72 pre-pubertal and pubertal swimmers. They underwent a battery of anthropometric, body composition and muscle strength measurements. A Principal Component Analysis showed that the Component-1 [Anthropometric- Tethered Swimming Force (TSF)] explained 65.1% of the total variance, Component-2 [Body Composition] 14.6% and Component- 3 [Body Dimension] 8.2% respectively. Also, Component 1 was significantly correlated with performance (r=-0.71, p<0.001). When multiple regression models were applied to the pre-pubertal swimmers 90.9% of the variation was explained by the average TSF and arm circumference. Selected anthropometric characteristics and specific strength are important determinants of sprint performance and may have practical implication for both training and talent identification in swimming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to determine the relative contribution of the drag and lift forces in the separate phases of the underwater stroke in front crawl swimming. Ten female swimmers swam 25 m with maximal intensity. Four camcorders (60 Hz) were used to record the underwater motion of the right hand, and the digitizing of selected points was undertaken manually using the Ariel Performance Analysis System. During the pull phase the drag force was significantly greater than lift force, while during the push phase there was no significant differences. Both drag and lift forces are important for appropriate propulsion. However, the drag force is decisive for the propulsion in both propulsive phases of the underwater motion of the hand, while the contribution of lift force was increased during the push phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate the acute effect of front crawl sprint-resisted swimming on the direction of the resultant force of the hand. Five female swimmers swam 25 m with maximal intensity with and without added resistance. The underwater motion of the hand was recorded using 4 cameras (60 Hz) and the Ariel Performance Analysis System was used for the digitization. The results showed that the magnitude of the drag and lift forces, as well as the magnitude of the resultant force was not modified significantly during resisted swimming. However, the angle formed between the resultant force and the axis of the swimming propulsion was decreased significantly in the pull phase. Thus, it could be speculated that sprint-resisted swimming could contribute to the learning of a more effective application of the propulsive forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]