AUTHOR=Sengoku Yasuo , Shinno Anna , Kim Jaewoo , Homoto Kenta , Nakazono Yusaku , Tsunokawa Takaaki , Hirai Norimasa , Nobue Ayaka , Ishikawa Masaki 

TITLE=The relationship between maximal lactate accumulation rate and sprint performance parameters in male competitive swimmers

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1483659

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2024.1483659

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=<p>This study aimed to examine the relationship between the maximal lactate accumulation rate (ċLa<sub>max</sub>) and sprint performance parameters in male competitive swimmers. Seventeen male competitive swimmers volunteered to perform a 20 m maximal front crawl sprint without pushing off the wall from a floating position. ċLa<sub>max</sub> was determined by the 20-m sprint time and blood lactate measured before and after the 20 m sprint. For the sprint performance parameter, a 50 m time trial with the front crawl swimming stroke was conducted, and the times taken from 0 to 15 m, 15–25 m, 25–35 m, and 35–45 m were analyzed. A semi-tethered swimming test was conducted to investigate the load-velocity profile of each swimmer. From the load-velocity profile, theoretical maximal velocity (V<sub>0</sub>), maximal load (L<sub>0</sub>) and relative maximal load (rL<sub>0</sub>) were examined. The slope of the load-velocity profile was also determined. According to the results, ċLa<sub>max</sub> correlated with 50 m front crawl performance (<italic>r</italic> = −.546, <italic>p</italic> &lt; .05). Moreover, a higher ċLa<sub>max</sub> was related to faster 0–35 m section time. Furthermore, ċLa<sub>max</sub> correlated with L<sub>0</sub> (<italic>r</italic> = .837, <italic>p</italic> &lt; .01), rL<sub>0</sub> (<italic>r</italic> = .820, <italic>p</italic> &lt; .01), and load-velocity slope (<italic>r</italic> = .804, <italic>p</italic> &lt; .01). ċLa<sub>max</sub> is a good indicator of 50 m front crawl performance in male swimmers, and higher glycolytic power contributes to the faster time at the beginning of the sprint race. ċLa<sub>max</sub> could also evaluate the ability of a swimmer to apply force to the water during high-intensity swimming.</p>