Effects of Extended Underwater Sections on the Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters of Competitive Swimmers

Santiago Veiga, Robin Pla, Xiao Qiu, David Boudet, Alexandre Guimard, Santiago Veiga, Robin Pla, Xiao Qiu, David Boudet, Alexandre Guimard

Abstract

Despite changes in the underwater sections of swimming races affecting overall performance, there is no information about the effects of the apnea-induced changes on the physiological state of competitive swimmers. The aim of the present research was to examine the effect of changes in the underwater race sections on the physiological [blood lactate concentration, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)] and biomechanical (underwater time, distance, and velocity) parameters of competitive swimmers. Twelve youth competitive swimmers belonging to the national team (706 ± 28.9 FINA points) performed 2 × 75 m efforts under three different conditions, while maintaining a 200 m race pace: (1) free underwater sections, (2) kick number of condition 1 plus two kicks, and (3) maximum distance underwater. Overall performance was maintained, and underwater section durations increased from condition 1 to 3 as expected according to the experimental design. Heart rate and blood lactate concentration values did not show differences between conditions, but the RPE values were significantly greater (F 2, 36 = 18.00, p = 0.001, η 2: 0.50) for the constrained (conditions 2 and 3) vs. the free underwater condition. Underwater parameters were modified within the 75 m efforts (lap 1 to lap 3), but the magnitude of changes did not depend on the experimental condition (all lap × condition effects p > 0.05). Controlled increases of underwater sections in trained swimmers can led to optimizing performance in these race segments despite small increases of perceived discomfort.

Keywords: RPE; apnea; breath-holding; dolphin kick; elite swimmers; swimming start; swimming turn; underwater undulatory swimming.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Copyright © 2022 Veiga, Pla, Qiu, Boudet and Guimard.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Change of underwater parameters of competitive swimmers from free (condition 1) to constrained (conditions 2 and 3) underwater swimming conditions. Box plots indicate minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, and maximum of the data, respectively.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Change of physiological parameters and perceived exertion of competitive swimmers from free (condition 1) to constrained (conditions 2 and 3) underwater swimming conditions. Box plots indicate minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, and maximum of the data, respectively.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Evolution of the underwater parameters of competitive swimmers in different underwater swimming conditions.

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