Swimming Research Could Lead To Quicker Times
17 November 2011
The research team R-L Tim Lawrenson, Andi Manley, Dr Pete Brown and Dr Peter Jones with Derventio eXcel swimmer
We wanted to compare three different 'swim down' recovery strategies to see which one was the most effective in maintaining or improving subsequent swim times.
”Dr Pete Brown
Tim discussing the results with one of the swimmers
Swimmers from Derby's elite swimming club Derventio eXcel could be setting an ever faster pace thanks to a unique research study into recovery strategies being carried out by academics and students of the University of Derby.
Over the last five weeks, Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, Dr Peter Brown, along with Masters student Tim Lawrenson and 11 Sport Science BSc (Hons) degree students have attended Derventio eXcel club sessions to carry out detailed research into how three different 'swim down' recovery strategies affect how quickly a swimmer completes their next race.
Dr Brown explains: "During a normal training session the swimmers typically train at a high intensity for one to two hours. During this anaerobic activity a substance called lactate begins to build up in the athlete's muscles. If this build-up of lactate isn't removed from the body through some subsequent slower, aerobic exercise, then it can contribute to feelings of heavy legs and arms, and can slow down the production of energy in the muscle leading to muscle fatigue, which ultimately impairs performance in subsequent bouts of exercise.
"Swimmers normally do a 'swim down' to remove this accumulation of lactate. We wanted to compare three different 'swim down' recovery strategies to see which one was the most effective in maintaining or improving subsequent swim times."
The first recovery strategy was based on lactate threshold theory, which suggests that each individual has a unique swim-down speed which results in an optimum level of lactate removal from their muscles - this swim speed was calculated for each of the swimmers prior to the study by the University's Sport and Exercise team.
The other two strategies were those used historically by Derventio eXcel swimming coach Andi Manley. Andi wanted to see how his strategies each compared with the lactate threshold theory.
These swimming strategies vary in duration and intensity, typically lasting from 20 to 30 minutes and include periods of both high and low intensity exercise, which are above and below the lactate threshold.
During each research session, swimmers were given one of the three 20 minute swim down recovery strategies to complete. They were then asked to rest for five minutes before completing a 200 metre time trial, swimming as hard as they could. Students measured the swimmers' speed, stroke number, blood lactate levels, heart rates and perception of exertion throughout.
Pete Brown continued: "By the end of the study every swimmer will have completed each recovery strategy. We will then compare their 200m swim times, blood lactate concentrations and other physiological data, to see which strategy was the most effective."
Andi Manley, Head Coach of Derventio eXcel, said: "We have been working closely with the University for 12 months delivering sports science support for our swimmers.
"This lactate testing research is one of many new areas of sports science we are introducing this season. It will provide a range of data that will enable us as coaches to make the training of our athletes even more specific and allow us to individualise recovery strategies in training, and more importantly at competitions, to maximise performance."
The work was completed as part of the University's Team Derby Performance. For more information visit website www.teamderby.com
