The Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload Determines Individual Swimming Performance
The lactate threshold (LT) and the strongly related maximal lactate steady state workload (MLSSW) are critical for physical endurance capacity and therefore of major interest in numerous sports. However, their relevance to individual swimming performance is not well understood. We used a custom-made...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Physiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.668123/full |
| _version_ | 1819072731910504448 |
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| author | Gernot O. Hering Jens Stepan Jens Stepan |
| author_facet | Gernot O. Hering Jens Stepan Jens Stepan |
| author_sort | Gernot O. Hering |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The lactate threshold (LT) and the strongly related maximal lactate steady state workload (MLSSW) are critical for physical endurance capacity and therefore of major interest in numerous sports. However, their relevance to individual swimming performance is not well understood. We used a custom-made visual light pacer for real-time speed modulation during front crawl to determine the LT and MLSSW in a single-exercise test. When approaching the LT, we found that minute variations in swimming speed had considerable effects on blood lactate concentration ([La−]). The LT was characterized by a sudden increase in [La−], while the MLSSW occurred after a subsequent workload reduction, as indicated by a rapid cessation of blood lactate accumulation. Determination of the MLSSW by this so-called “individual lactate threshold” (ILT)-test was highly reproducible and valid in a constant speed test. Mean swimming speed in 800 and 1,500 m competition (S-Comp) was 3.4% above MLSSW level and S-Comp, and the difference between S-Comp and the MLSSW (Δ S-Comp/MLSSW) were higher for long-distance swimmers (800–1,500 m) than for short- and middle-distance swimmers (50–400 m). Moreover, Δ S-Comp/MLSSW varied significantly between subjects and had a strong influence on overall swimming performance. Our results demonstrate that the MLSSW determines individual swimming performance, reflects endurance capacity in the sub- to supra-threshold range, and is therefore appropriate to adjust training intensity in moderate to severe domains of exercise. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T17:42:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4a22993395064dc69fb8fbfe4a4d7a54 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-042X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T17:42:24Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Physiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-4a22993395064dc69fb8fbfe4a4d7a542022-12-21T18:55:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2021-04-011210.3389/fphys.2021.668123668123The Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload Determines Individual Swimming PerformanceGernot O. Hering0Jens Stepan1Jens Stepan2Department of Sport and Health Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, GermanyDepartment of Sport and Health Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, GermanyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, AustriaThe lactate threshold (LT) and the strongly related maximal lactate steady state workload (MLSSW) are critical for physical endurance capacity and therefore of major interest in numerous sports. However, their relevance to individual swimming performance is not well understood. We used a custom-made visual light pacer for real-time speed modulation during front crawl to determine the LT and MLSSW in a single-exercise test. When approaching the LT, we found that minute variations in swimming speed had considerable effects on blood lactate concentration ([La−]). The LT was characterized by a sudden increase in [La−], while the MLSSW occurred after a subsequent workload reduction, as indicated by a rapid cessation of blood lactate accumulation. Determination of the MLSSW by this so-called “individual lactate threshold” (ILT)-test was highly reproducible and valid in a constant speed test. Mean swimming speed in 800 and 1,500 m competition (S-Comp) was 3.4% above MLSSW level and S-Comp, and the difference between S-Comp and the MLSSW (Δ S-Comp/MLSSW) were higher for long-distance swimmers (800–1,500 m) than for short- and middle-distance swimmers (50–400 m). Moreover, Δ S-Comp/MLSSW varied significantly between subjects and had a strong influence on overall swimming performance. Our results demonstrate that the MLSSW determines individual swimming performance, reflects endurance capacity in the sub- to supra-threshold range, and is therefore appropriate to adjust training intensity in moderate to severe domains of exercise.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.668123/fulllactate thresholdmaximal lactate steady stateswimmingperformance testingexercise physiology |
| spellingShingle | Gernot O. Hering Jens Stepan Jens Stepan The Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload Determines Individual Swimming Performance Frontiers in Physiology lactate threshold maximal lactate steady state swimming performance testing exercise physiology |
| title | The Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload Determines Individual Swimming Performance |
| title_full | The Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload Determines Individual Swimming Performance |
| title_fullStr | The Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload Determines Individual Swimming Performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload Determines Individual Swimming Performance |
| title_short | The Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload Determines Individual Swimming Performance |
| title_sort | maximal lactate steady state workload determines individual swimming performance |
| topic | lactate threshold maximal lactate steady state swimming performance testing exercise physiology |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.668123/full |
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