The Effects of Triathlon Wet Suits on Physiological Responses and Stroke Parameters during Submaximal Swimming

Abstract

1150 It has been reported that the velocity at the VO2max ([email protected]) with triathlon wet suits (WS) is higher than swim suits (SS). The physiological parameters with WS might be underestimated when comparing at the same absolute velocities during submaximal swimming. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effects of WS on physiological and stroke parameters at the same relative swimming velocities, however, there are no data taken these points into consideration. PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare WS with SS at the same relative velocities during submaximal swimming and investigated the differences in physiological responses and stroke parameters. METHODS: Thirteen triathletes (9 male and 4 female) participated voluntarily in this study. Mean velocity of each subject's best record for 400-m swim was 1.22 ± 0.19 m·s-1. Subjects performed each following test with WS and SS, respectively. Firstly, the continuous progressive swimming tests were conducted to measure VO2max, [email protected] and the blood lactate concentration (LA). Secondly, the submaximal swimming tests were conducted at 60%[email protected] (V60) and 80%[email protected] (V80) to measure VO2 and LA. Stroke rate (SR) and stroke length (SL) were determined from the video pictures through the tests. Stroke index (SI) was calculated by multiplying the velocity by the SL. A paired t-test was used to compare between WS and SS. RESULTS: Although there were no differences in VO2max and LA during the progressive tests, [email protected] with WS was higher than SS (1.18 ± 0.16 vs. 1.12 ± 0.15 m·s-1, p<0.01). The lower VO2 were observed with WS at the V60 (29.39 ± 5.48 vs. 32.43 ± 5.94 ml·kg-1·min-1, p<0.001), however there was no difference in LA. There were no differences in both VO2 and LA at the V80. At both velocities, although there were no differences in SR and SL, SI with WS were improved (1.13 ± 0.27 vs. 1.06 ± 0.24, p<0.05 at V60 and 1.63 ± 0.37 vs. 1.54 ± 0.35, p<0.05 at V80). CONCLUSIONS: Wearing WS would improve SI at the same relative velocities during submaximal swimming, however, the decrement of physiological response (VO2) with WS was observed only at the V60 and there was no decrement at the V80 (actual race speed).