Abstract

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the increase in acidosis is probably the limiting factor which prevents a swimmer from going faster during maximal intensity swimming. Six swimmers of a mean age of 22 ± 1.9 yrs performed a front crawl swim over distances of 100 m, 200 m, 300 m and 400 m with maximal intensity on separate days. Arterialised blood samples (20 + 60-80 µl) were collected from the earlobe after a warm up and during 1, 3, 5 and 7 minutes of recovery for blood lactate [LAˉ] and pH analysis. Regression graphs of maximal measured [LAˉ] against velocity and minimal obtained pH against velocity were plotted. The results showed that [LAˉ] and pH did not reach their highest or lowest values over a 100 m distance in spite of the highest velocity. [LAˉ] increased further over 400 m and pH decreased further over 200 and 400 m. The [LAˉ] and pH at the distance of 300 m unexpectedly did not follow their trends. This divergence cannot be explained by the available data. No significant correlations of [LAˉ] and pH values with swimming velocities at each distance were found. It seems that each swimmer has a specific [LAˉ] and pH values response, which seems not to be at their maximal [LAˉ] nor minimal pH until the distance of 400 m. Verf.-Referat