The relationship between maximal lactate accumulation rate and sprint performance parameters in male competitive swimmers
Yasuo Sengoku, Anna Shinno, Jae Woo Kim, Kenta Homoto, Yusaku Nakazono, Takaaki Tsunokawa, Norimasa Hirai, Ayaka Nobue, M. Ishikawa
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the relationship between the maximal lactate accumulation rate (ċLa max ) and sprint performance parameters in male competitive swimmers. Seventeen male competitive swimmers volunteered to perform a 20 m maximal front crawl sprint without pushing off the wall from a floating position. ċLa max was determined by the 20-m sprint time and blood lactate measured before and after the 20 m sprint. For the sprint performance parameter, a 50 m time trial with the front crawl swimming stroke was conducted, and the times taken from 0 to 15 m, 15–25 m, 25–35 m, and 35–45 m were analyzed. A semi-tethered swimming test was conducted to investigate the load-velocity profile of each swimmer. From the load-velocity profile, theoretical maximal velocity (V 0 ), maximal load (L 0 ) and relative maximal load (rL 0 ) were examined. The slope of the load-velocity profile was also determined. According to the results, ċLa max correlated with 50 m front crawl performance ( r = −.546, p < .05). Moreover, a higher ċLa max was related to faster 0–35 m section time. Furthermore, ċLa max correlated with L 0 ( r = .837, p < .01), rL 0 ( r = .820, p < .01), and load-velocity slope ( r = .804, p < .01). ċLa max is a good indicator of 50 m front crawl performance in male swimmers, and higher glycolytic power contributes to the faster time at the beginning of the sprint race. ċLa max could also evaluate the ability of a swimmer to apply force to the water during high-intensity swimming.