Physiological responses and performance in different speed-based training series in swimmers

• Grant number: 24/04151-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: August 26, 2024
• End date: December 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Papoti
• Grantee: Gian Marco Rechetelo dos Santos
• Supervisor: Daniel Alexandre Boullosa Alvarez
• Host Institution: Escola de Educação Física e Esporte de Ribeirão Preto (EEFERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad De León, Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/08653-5 - STANDARDIZATION OF SPECIFIC PROTOCOLS FOR AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC EVALUATION OF PARALYMPIC SWIMMERS, BP.MS

Abstract

Most studies examining physiological factors in swimming have traditionally emphasized adaptations in aerobic performance. These studies propose various tests to measure energy demands, often focusing on a high fraction of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max). However, the anaerobic contribution is also important in most swimming events. Approximately 80% of swimming events are completed within 2 minutes, underscoring the importance of anaerobic metabolism in achieving success. Unfortunately, assessing anaerobic metabolism still poses several challenges in terms of validity and practical application.The Maximal Accumulated Oxygen Deficit Alternative (MAODALT) test offers a solution by providing insights into different components of anaerobic metabolism, including the alactic anaerobic component (AnA), lactic anaerobic component (AnL), and total anaerobic contribution (TAn). Nonetheless, it's crucial to acknowledge that MAODALT is a complex assessment requiring substantial equipment costs and experienced professionals, making it impractical for many swimming teams. Consequently, there's a growing demand for indirect, non-invasive tests that are specific and cost-effective, facilitating reliable assessment and training monitoring protocols that better reflect the realities of athletes and sports organizations.Anaerobic training involves exercises performed at intensities higher than VO2max, aiming to stimulate anaerobic energy production. Accordingly, training programs are tailored to enhance speed capacity, often incorporating speed-based training such as sprint interval training (SIT), which entails maximal effort bursts known as "all-out" sprints. While recent research has explored SIT in swimmers, our understanding of anaerobic responses in this context remains less comprehensive than aerobic responses. This underscores the importance of identifying optimal training intervals to enhance anaerobic responses in swimmers.Thus, our research objective is to investigate the effects of different intervals in a series of speed-based training sessions on the metabolic contribution to sprint performance in competitive swimmers