Breaststroke Swimming At A Constant Stroke Rate

Abstract

PURPOSE: During international 200-m breaststroke races the stroke rate fluctuates markedly which may not optimise performance and there has been speculation that maintaining a constant stroke rate might benefit performance. To date no study has examined the effect of fixing the stroke rate, therefore this preliminary study aimed to examine the effect of lowering (Study 1) and raising (Study 2) the stroke rate during high intensity breaststroke swimming. METHODS: Fourteen breaststroke swimmers (22±2 yrs; 1.79±0.1 m; 72.9±kg) completed a dive-start 200-m time trial. Nine of the group then completed a series of push-start 175-m swims with a controlled stroke rate (Aquapacer™, Challenge and Response, Scotland) at 92%, 95% and 100% of the mean stroke rate during the last 175-m of their 200-m time trial (Study 1). In Study 2, eight of the group swam 175-m trials at 100 % and 107 % of the mean stroke rate for the last 175-m of their 200-m time trial. RESULTS:: In Study 1, RPE scores were lower in the 92% trial compared to the 100% trial (15±2 vs 17±1, F=8.00, p=0.01, R2=0.6) and there was a trend toward slower finishing times for the 92% and 95% trials compared to the 100% trial (F=3.16, p=0.1, R2=0.24). In Study 2, no differences in heart rate, blood lactate, RPE and finishing times were observed between trials. CONCLUSIONS: The difference in perceived exertion may be associated with biomechanical rather than physiological changes as the latter were similar between trials. The similarity between physiological and performance parameters in both studies and RPE scores in Study 2 appear to show that either: a set physiological capacity constrains breaststroke performance, or that a pacing strategy initiates adjustments in stroke length or other biomechanical behaviour to maintain a set level of physiological activity, in order to allow the completion of the trial in the fastest possible time.