Previous studies (Montpetit, Lavoie, Cazorla, 1983; Pendergast, Di Prampero, Craig, Wilson, & Rennie, 1977) have shown differences in the oxygen demand of swimming the front crawl (liters of 0 2 /min) between males and females. These observations, however, were made from unmatched groups in regard to both ability level and body size. In this study the oxygen costs of swimming the front crawl were compared in male and female competitive swimmers who were selected to form equivalent groups as far as body mass and swimming experience were concerned, but at the same time a large range existed in these parameters.
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