Physiological, perceptual responses, and strategy differences in age-group swimmers between heats and semi-finals in the 400 metres freestyle event

ABSTRACT

Swimmers use different strategies in competition to proceed from heats to semi-finals and finals. This study aimed to analyse the physiological (heart rate [HR]; blood lactate [BLa]) and perceptual responses (rating of perceived exertion [RPE]), time-performances (T), and strategy differences in age-group swimmers in the 400 m Freestyle swim between heats and semi-finals during a competition. Twenty-Two male swimmers volunteered to participate in this study. Only thirteen out of the sixteen qualified semi-finalists (age 16.8 ± 0.6 years) were considered into data analysis.

Significant differences within and between groups were identified for T400, HR, RPE and BLa (p < 0.001). Compared to heats, Top 8 swimmers improved their performance by 7.68% with an increased value of HR (17.24%), RPE (49.41%) and BLa (98.7%), whereas the remaining semi-finalists improved their timings by only 2.51% and with an increased value of HR (7.38%), RPE (23.26%) and BLa (14.14%).

These results suggested that Top 8 swimmers adopted a slower swimming speed during the heats but made more effort during the semi-finals. This could be a strategy to save energy in order to perform their best during the semi-finals and be at the top of the standings to qualify for the final.

KEYWORDS:

• Swimming
• competition
• strategy
• blood lactate
• rate of perceived exertion
• heart rate

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the participant’s parents and the coaches for their acceptance and cooperation and the participants for attending all required testing sessions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).