Interval type training is widely used in the sport of swimming. This type of training, however, is affected by the rest period selected. The purpose of this project, therefore, was to determine how the aerobic:anaerobic energy contribution at a selected work intensity is altered with different interval distances at a common work:rest ratio. A secondary objective was to determine which repeat distance may be most specific to the energy demands of 200 m specific training. Workout sets of the same swimming intensity with different repeat distances and common work:rest ratios (1:2) were examined. On separate days swimmers completed one of the following sets, 6 x 200, 12 x 100 and 24 x 50 m swims. During each swim of each set accumulated 02 uptake was determined with the resulting percent aerobic:anaerobic contributions calculated. Mixed arterialized blood samples were taken after each repeat for analysis of lactate and base excess. The results demonstrated that (1) the aerobic energy contribution increased with shorter repeat distances, (2) the anaerobic contribution increases with shorter work duration and (3) the 100 m repeat distance is most specific to 200 m pace specific swimming.
© Copyright 1992 Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming. Swimming Science VI. Published by E & FN Spon. All rights reserved.