Is Speed Reserve Related to Critical Speed and Anaerobic Distance Capacity in Swimming?

Reliability of the Maximal Lactate Accumulation Rate in Rowers

The maximal lactate accumulation rate (VLamax) has been linked to lactic anaerobic performance. Hence, accurate and reliable assessment is crucial in sport-specific performance testing. Thus, between-day reliability data of rowing-specific VLamax assessment was examined. Seventeen trained rowers (eight females and nine males; 19.5±5.2 yrs; 1.76±0.08 m; 70.2±8.9 kg; V̇O2max: 54±13 ml/min/kg) performed 20-s sprint tests on two separate days (one week apart) on a rowing ergometer. VLamax, peak lactate concentration, time to peak lactate, and mean rowing power were measured. Good to excellent intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), low standard error of measurement (SEM), and acceptable levels of agreement (LoAs; 90% confidence interval) for VLamax (ICC=0.85; SEM=0.02 mmol/L/s; LoA±0.09 mmol/L/s), peak lactate (ICC=0.88; SEM=0.3 mmol/L; LoA±1.4 mmol/l), time to peak lactate (ICC=0.92; SEM=0.1 min; LoA±0.5 min), and mean rowing power (ICC=0.98; SEM=3 W; LoA±39 W) were observed. In addition, VLamax was highly correlated (r=0.96; p≤0.001) to rowing power. Thus, VLamax and sprint performance parameters can be measured highly reliably using this sport-specific sprint test in rowing.

Use of Exercise Training to Enhance the Power-Duration Curve: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Hurd, KA, Surges, MP, and Farrell, JW. Use of exercise training to enhance the power-duration curve: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 37(3): 733-744, 2023-The power/velocity-duration curve consists of critical power (CP), the highest work rate at which a metabolic steady state can obtained, and W' (e.g., W prime), the finite amount of work that can be performed above CP. Significant associations between CP and performance during endurance sports have been reported resulting in CP becoming a primary outcome for enhancement following exercise training interventions. This review evaluated and summarized the effects of different exercise training methodologies for enhancing CP and respective analogs. A systematic review was conducted with the assistance of a university librarian and in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Ten studies met the criteria for inclusion and were reviewed. Four, 2, 2, 1, and 1 articles included swimming, cycling, resistance training, rowing, and running, respectively. Improvements in CP, and respective analogs, were reported in 3 swimming, 2 cycling, and 1 rowing intervention. In addition, only 2 cycling and 1 swimming intervention used CP, and respective analogs, as an index of intensity for prescribing exercise training, with one cycling and one swimming intervention reporting significant improvements in CP. Multiple exercise training modalities can be used to enhance the power/velocity-duration curve. Significant improvements in CP were often reported with no observed improvements in W' or with slight decreases. Training may need to be periodized in a manner that targets enhancements in either CP or W' but not simultaneously.

Effect of training at intensities around critical velocity on 400 meters front crawl performance in young swimmers

BACKGROUND

Young swimmers are rarely involved in training control, leading to inadequate volume and prescription of training intensities. This study aimed to examine the effect of prescribing and monitoring training intensities around critical velocity (CV) on 400 m frontcrawl performance during an 8-weeks period.

METHODS

Twenty young male swimmers (13.4±1.0 years) were randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group (EG) used training monitoring based on intensities around CV (95, 100, 105 and 110% of CV), while for the control group (CG) different heart-rate (HR) zones (EN1+, EN2, EN2+ and EN3) were used as an intensity criterion. The training volume was the same for both EG and CG. A maximal 400 m front-crawl test was performed before and after the 8-week period to determine CV intensities and to assess alternations in performance. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and HR values were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Significant main effects of time were observed for T400, CV, HR and RPE. A significant group x time interaction was found for T400 (p=0.035, effect size=1.07, moderate). Results revealed significant pre-to-post improvements for both EG (from 328.46±26.25 to 305.88±20.09) and CG (from 329.07±25.24 to 314.75±19.87). A significant group x time interaction was also found for CV (p=0.005, effect size=1.51, large). Results revealed significant pre-to-post improvements for both EG (from 1.126±0.08 to 1.207±0.07) and CG (from 1.124±0.08 to 1.173±0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Both training methods induced significant improvements in 400 m front-crawl performance with a greater degree for the training prescription and monitoring using CV intensities.

Pacing During 200-m Competitive Masters Swimming

Breen, D, Powell, C, and Anderson, R. Pacing during 200-m competitive masters swimming. J Strength Cond Res 34(7): 1903-1910, 2020-Pacing strategies are key to overall performance outcome, particularly in swimming given the large resistive properties of water. However, no studies examining how swimming stroke, gender, age, or performance level affect pacing strategies during 200-m races. This study aimed to examine masters athletes pacing strategies categorized by stroke, gender, age, and performance level. Data were retrieved from World and European masters swimming championships and contained data for 4,272 performances. Performances were coded for stroke, gender, age, and performance classification (PC). Performance classification was based on comparison to the appropriate masters world record. Performances were then normalized, with split times being expressed as a percentage faster or slower than average 50-m split time to determine relative pace. Coefficient of variation (CV) of 50-m time was examined across splits. The main effect for stroke was examined at each split, whereas gender, age, and PC were examined for split-1 pace and CV. An alpha level of 0.05 was set to denote statistical significance. A main effect for stroke was identified at each split (all p < 0.001; (Equation is included in full-text article.)-split-1 = 0.292; (Equation is included in full-text article.)-split-2 = 0.040; (Equation is included in full-text article.)-split-3 = 0.058; (Equation is included in full-text article.)-split-4 = 0.162). A main effect for PC was identified for split-1 pace and CV within all strokes (all p < 0.001), except for breaststroke (both p > 0.775). Masters athletes exhibit different pacing patterns across strokes, whereas lower ranked athletes also display less even pacing and a faster relative start compared with higher-ranked athletes. Individual analyses of pacing strategies may be necessary.