The Effect of Water Immersion on Lactic Acid Kinetics During Swimming Interval Training Recovery Periods

The purpose of the study was to determine the difference in the circulation of lactic acid following high intensity swimming, between resting immersed in water or resting sitting on the pool deck, completely out of the water. Six (four male and two female) collegiate swimmers volunteered for the study. The swimmers were randomly assigned to two groups and a counterbalance design was employed, where each group experienced both treatments (one resting out of the water, one resting in the water), in different orders. Each swimmer completed an identical warm-up and then swam five 100 yard swims at 85-95% intensity, with one group resting three minutes between 100 yard swims sitting upright on the pool deck, and the other group remaining immersed in water for the three minute rest interval. Blood samples were taken during the second minute of the rest intervals, following the first, third and fifth swims. Analysis of the samples was conducted with a YSI 231 Lactate Analyzer. Results showed that the swimmers had higher levels of circulating lactic acid following the first swim when they remained in the water. All six swimmers then showed a rapid inflection of lactic acid levels between the first and third trail when out of the water for the rest intervals. Lactic acid levels showed only a slight increase when the swimmers remained in the water during rest. Results of the study showed a distinct difference in the circulatory patterns of lactic acid in swimmers following high intensity swimming between rest taken out of the water and in the water. The limitations due to sample size and training background were discussed. Implications for training design were proposed