CURRENT PROJECTS

Metabolic testing in swimmers

PAST PROJECTS

Comparison of swimming economy between two full-sleeve wetsuits

The purpose of this study was to compare swimming economy in two full-sleeve wetsuits (i.e., blue70 Helix and Sprint models) to a swimsuit while swimming freestyle at submaximal speeds. A group of male and female swimmers swam for 5 minutes in a swim flume while their expired breath was collected for determination of energy expenditure. Stroke cadence, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion were also determined for each of the three trials.

Graduate student: Herbert Monroy-Chacon
Status: Poster presentation at 2022 Southwest ACSM

Swimming economy in different styles of triathlon wetsuits

The purpose of this study was to compare swimming economy in three different styles (i.e., full-sleeve, sleeveless and buoyancy shorts) and in a swimsuit in a group of male and female triathletes. Participants swam freestyle at submaximal speeds for 5 minutes while their expired breath was collected for determination of energy expenditure. Heart rate was also recorded while they swam and we asked for their perceived exertion after each swimming bout.

Graduate student: Boram Lim
Status: Poster presentation at 2021 Southwest ACSM & 2022 ACSM conferences; submitted to JSCR

Effect of diet on swimming economy

Trained swimmers were given two 72-hour diets – one low and one high in carbohydrates. Upon completion of the 3-day diets, subjects underwent a submaximal swimming test to assess their swimming economy. Swimming economy, or the ratio of the rate of energy expenditure to swimming speed, was measured at different intensities by collecting the subject’s expired breath while they swam. The results of this study may help determine pre-exercise nutrition needs for swimmers with the hope of improving endurance swimming performance. 

Graduate student: Merry Bestard
Collaborator: Jeff Rothschild
Status: Published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

Effect of music on maximal aerobic capacity determined while swimming

The purpose of this study is to determine if listening to music and/or verbal feedback while swimming improves maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) measurements during a graded exercise test. Subjects will do three VO2max tests on separate days – one while listening to music, one with verbal feedback, and one without music or verbal feedback (control). Results from this study will help determine whether focusing on the task (i.e., verbal feedback) or disconnecting (i.e., listening to music) will allow the subjects to push themselves farther on a graded exercise test.

Graduate student: Alejandro Villalobos

Comparison of flume and treadmill testing for VO2max in trained swimmers

Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) is the gold-standard for assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness and a strong predictor of endurance exercise capacity. The purpose of this study was to compare VO2max values of trained swimmers recorded while running on a treadmill with those recorded while swimming in a flume. Results from this study will help determine whether specificity of training or exercise modality has a greater effect on VO2max determination. This will answer the question of whether swimmers should be tested while swimming (specificity of training) or running (exercise modality) for cardiorespiratory fitness.

Graduate student: Daniel Monarrez
Status: Poster presentation at 2019 Southwest ACSM conference

Effect of sex and swimming speed on swimming economy

Description: The purpose of this project was to determine how swimming speed affects swimming economy. We also looked to see if there were sex differences in swimming economy for masters-level swimmers. In this study, we had swimmers swim 2-min stages at up to 7 different swimming speeds in a swim flume while we collected their expired breath. Measurements from their expired breath were used to calculate swim economy. 

Graduate student: Veronica Pinedo

Improvement in swimming economy from using a pull buoy

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of using a pull buoy on swimming economy in masters-level swimmers. Eighteen masters-level swimmers swam in a flume at up to five different speeds both with and without a pull buoy between their thighs. The pull buoy reduced energy expenditure by an average ~20% across all subjects, although this percentage varied between subjects. Subjects who showed the greatest improvement in economy with pull buoy use were the oldest and leanest subjects in our study.

Graduate student: Sam Bridges
Status: Poster presentations at 2018 SWACSM Annual Meeting and 2019 Cal State LA OSCRA Student Research Symposium (Outstanding Poster Presentation in Health, Nutrition & Clinical Sciences)

Influence of a 2-km swim on the cycling power-duration relationship in triathletes

Triathlon combines three sports (swimming, cycling, and running) into a single race and, because triathletes must cycle after swimming, it is important to understand how cycling performance may be affected by prior swimming. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 2-km swim at a self-selected race-pace intensity on the cycling power-duration relationship determined by a 3-min all-out cycling test.

Collaborators: Jeff Rothschild, M.S. & Ailish Sheard, PhD
Status: Published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research; Poster presentation at 2019 Southwest ACSM conference