Lactic metabolism and swimming. Comparison between freestyle swimming and swimming with fins in french athletes

Compare lactatemia after freestyle and swimming with fins competitions among French athletes specialized in these sports. Fifty two athletes participated in the study, 32 athletes in freestyle and 20 with fins, 28 male and 24 female athletes. Lactatemia was measured on samples (n=102) obtained by micro puncture from the earlobe at 5 th minute recovery [LA]. Comparisons are made based on the race distance. Speed for the same distance is always higher when swimming with fins versus freestyle swimming. We calculated the working power (distance/speed) and the power provided by lactic metabolism ((LA)/time, M/min) to analyze the lactatemia as a function of work. Mean lactatemia increased during both swimming exercices with maximal values after 100m race. The lactatemia after swimming with fins is always highter than after freestyle swimming. Significant differences were found only for the 800‐1500m races (p<0.001). The power provided by lactic metabolism was maximal for short races. For 50,100, 200 and 400m it was higher when swimming with fins. For 1500 m the values were identical. The differences were not significant. The increase of lactatemia indicates the sollicitation of energy source producing lactic acid. According to Margaria and Edward and Di Prampero et al. , a lactic process, i.e., the ATP and CP splitting may be sufficient to provide all the energy necessary for 5 to 10 sec physical exercise. And during short exercices of 30 sec, the oxygen stores may play an important rôle in postponing lactate production. The results indicate that lactic metabolim condition is identical in both exercise. This metabolim in more important during short race. With the power of work more important when swimming with fins, the lactic power is always higher, but not‐significant. So the most determinant parameter for lactic metabolim is the work power and not the type of exercice.