Effects of swim training on energetic and performance in women masters’ swimmers

Abstract

Ferreira, M.I., Barbosa, T.M., Costa, M.J., Neiva, H.P., Vilaça, J., & Marinho, D.A. (2016). Effects of swim training on energetic and performance in women masters' swimmers. J. Hum. Sport Exerc., 11(1), 99-106. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the changes of performance and energetic profile of female masters swimmers over a season, in three distinct time periods (TP): December (TP1), March (TP2) and June (TP3). Eleven female masters swimmers performed an all-out 200 m freestyle to evaluate the swimmers' energetic adaptations. The 200 m freestyle performance, the total energy expenditure (Etot) and the partial contribution of aerobic energy source (%Aer), partial contribution of anaerobic lactic energy source (%AnL) and partial contribution of anaerobic alactic energy source (%AnAl) contributions were estimated or assessed. Female masters swimmers improved significantly the 200 m freestyle performance over a season. However, a non-significant improvement was found on their energetic profile. Hence, one might speculate that performance improvement might be related to other performance determinants, such as, technical enhancement. Aerobic metabolism was the major contributor for Etot whereas anaerobic alactic was the second major contributor.

An alternative to oxygen deficit as a way to quantify anaerobic contributions in running

“…It has become common practice in several laboratories to replace the cumbersome and somewhat contentious oxygen deficit measure with the sum of the phosphocreatine contribution, obtained from kinetics of the post-exercise VO2 response curve, and the glycolytic contribution, obtained from peak post-exercise blood lactate concentration. Results of the present study provide strong support for prior studies validating this PCr+glycolysis measure against oxygen deficit (Bertuzzi et al, 2010;Urso et al, 2013;Zagatto et al, 2016;Miyagi et al, 2017) or using the measure as an alternative to oxygen deficit (e.g., Bertuzzi et al, 2007;de Campos Mello et al, 2009;Zagatto and Gobatto, 2012;Ferreira et al, 2014Lopes-Silva et al, 2018. It is concluded that the PCr+glycolysis measure provides a valid estimate of anaerobic contribution in running exercise, in women as well as in men.…”

Monitoring Master Swimmers’ Performance and Active Drag Evolution along a Training Mesocycle

“…As a result, the number of master swimmers and their competitiveness level increased considerably in the last decade, with many participating in the last European and World Championships [ 3 , 4 ]. A better understanding of master swimming performance development along the training process is very important, but studies on the topic are rare [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Research has been mainly cross-sectional (making it difficult to extrapolate cause–effect relationships over time), and the traditionally conducted biomechanical analysis only focuses on the general kinematic variables (stroke frequency and length) and propelling efficiency [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Energetic and Biomechanical Contributions for Longitudinal Performance in Master Swimmers

“…The increase in VO 2max could be fundamental to performance, augmenting the participation of the aerobic metabolism during maximal efforts and avoiding an excessive production of blood lactate that can lead to the inhibition of contraction of muscle fibers (due to decreased pH), decreasing performance. The increase of aerobic partial contribution was evidenced before [ 37 ] and is likely to be related to the high percentage of workout focused on aerobic intensity [ 37 ].…”