EFFECT OF HAND PADDLE AIDS ON OXYGEN-UPTAKE DURING ARM-STROKE-ONLY SWIMMING

Cardiorespiratory responses during arm-stroke-only swimming with and w ithout the aid of paddle were compared in seven trained swimmers. Wate r flow rate was started at 0.80 m . s-1 and was increased by 0.05 m . s-1 every 2 min up to 1.00 m . s-1. Subsequently, the flow rate was in creased by 0.05 m . s-1 every minute until exhaustion. At given submax imal water flow rates, oxygen uptake, heart rate (f(c)), pulmonary ven tilation (V(E)) and respiratory frequency (f(R)) during swimming using hands alone (H) were significantly higher than when aided by paddles (P). There were no significant differences in tidal volume (V(T)) betw een H and P. The subjects were able to swim significantly faster using paddles (P < 0.05); however, no significant differences between H and P were found in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak, f(C), V(E), f(R), V(T) a nd the blood lactate concentration at which VO2peak was obtained (P > 0.05). These results would suggest that the ability to swim faster wit h paddles does not depend on higher energy production but may be attri buted to higher propelling efficiency.