Experimental studies predicting maximum oxygen consumption in swimming using swim bench ergometry
Date
1985
Authors
Meerloo, Ashley I.
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Abstract
Three studies were undertaken to assess the use of the Biokinetic swim bench in predicting maximum oxygen consumption ( V 0 2ma x) in swimming. The purpose of the first study was to determine whether a continuous (SBC ) or discontinuous (SBD) swim bench protocol would elicit a higher V02 m a x in competent swimmers. No differences were found for V 0 2 max when tested with either SBC or SBD. It was concluded that , from an administrative viewpoint, SBC should be used as testing time was greatly reduced. Study 2 compared SBC with tethered swimming (TS). A higher (p<0.001) V0 2max was elicited by the swimmers during TS compared with SBC. A prediction equation was produced : TS V 0 2max = (0.595 SBC V 0 2max ) + 35.8 (sx,v=4.74). These results suggested that SBC V0 2max was not a valid measure of TS V02 max, and that SBC V0 2max was a poor predictor of TS V0 2max in elite swimmers. The final study compared arms only tethered swimming (TSA) with TS, and TSA with SBC. TS V02 max was higher than TSA V0 2ma x (p<0.01). No differences were found in submaximal V 0 2 scores between TSA and SBC. A higher V0 2ma x was found for TSA compared with SBC (p<0,005). The results suggested that the absence of leg kick reduced the active muscle mass during TSA. In addition, the inability of the swimmer to perform correct stroke mechanics reduced the active muscle mass during SBC. The reductions in muscle mass resulted in lower V 0 2max scores.