Abstract des Autors

The purpose of this study was to measure and compare changes in (a) swimming speed, stroke index, stroke length, and stroke rate, and (b) blood lactate concentration and heart rate, under two front crawl swimming conditions, with hand paddles (P) and without hand paddles (no-P), at the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and sub- and super-maximal speeds (below and above MAS). Eight subjects participated in the experiment, which included two tests. The first test was aimed at determining MAS. Subjects performed a continuous swim made up of 2-minute stages in which the speed was increased by .05 m/s per stage. The second test consisted of three 150m swims at 88% of the MAS, 100% of the MAS, and at maximal speed, each separated by a 20-minute recuperation period. The results showed that to attain the same exercising intensity, speed must be greater in condition P. At a given speed, stroke length was greater in P than in no-P. These findings confirm the better propelling efficiency of swimming with hand paddles. At supermaximal speeds, swimming with paddles was characterized by a larger decrease in stroke length and a larger increase in stroke rate compared to swimming without paddles. The physiological effects were the same in the two swimming conditions. Verf.-Referat