Author(s): TOUBEKIS, A., NIKITAKIS, I., PARADISIS, G., BOGDANIS, G., Institution: NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS, Country: GREECE, Abstract-ID: 1266

INTRODUCTION:
Combining training sets of various intensities in the same session is a common practise in swimming. Previous studies have examined the effect of set sequence in sessions that combine aerobic-dominated training sets and sprint intervals [1,2]. However, training sets planned to enhance anaerobic power may also be applied following aerobic training sets and vice versa. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the applied sequence of anaerobic power and threshold training sets on performance, metabolic responses and training load.
METHODS:
Twelve male swimmers (19±3 years) performed 25 m swimming at maximal effort to evaluate maximal speed. On a subsequent day they completed an incremental intermittent protocol (5x200 m) to calculate the speed corresponding to the lactate threshold (sLT). Based on the preliminary tests, training sets of 8x200 m at sLT separated by 30 s of recovery (set A) and 8x25 m at maximal speed separated by 2 min of recovery (set B) were planned. In two randomized order sessions all swimmers completed the following set sequences: i) set A followed by set B (A-B), ii) set B followed by set A (B-A) with 10 min of passive recovery between sets. Time to complete each repetition was recorded continuously. Blood lactate (BL) was determined at the start, middle and the end of each set. The area under the BL curve was calculated. Blood pH, base excess (BE) and bicarbonate (HCO3) were determined before and after each set. Session-RPE was recorded 30 min after the completion of each session and was used to calculate training load (TL).


RESULTS:
Performance in each set separately was not different between sessions regardless of sets sequence (p>0.05). Mean BL in set A was higher in B-A session compared to the reverse order (A-B: 3.5±1.6, B-A: 6.8±3.1 mmol/L, p<0.05). However, BL in set B was similar between sessions (p>0.05). In B-A session, mean BL was higher compared to A-B (BL: A-B: 5.3±3.7, B-A: 6.3±3.6 mmol/L, p<0.05). The area under the BL curve was higher in B-A session (A-B: 182.3±79.0, B-A: 284.0±108.3 mmol/L×min, p<0.05). pH and BE of the entire A-B session was not different compared to B-A session (pH: A-B: 7.34±0.08, B-A: 7.33±0.08, BE: A-B: -5.4±6.4, B-A: -6.9±6.1 mmol/L, p>0.05) while HCO3 was lower in B-A session compared to the reverse sequence (A-B: 20.4±5.2, B-A:19.0±4.9 mmol/L, p<0.05). Acid-base parameters in each set separately did not change irrespective to the set sequence (p>0.05). TL was higher in B-A session (A-B: 224.3±61.3, B-A: 258.3±44.3 a.u., p<0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Training sets sequence does not affect performance in each set separately but may influence the entire session metabolic responses. The longer time spent with high metabolic disturbance may cause higher training load induced when anaerobic power training set in preceded.

1. Nikitakis et al., 2023, Sports, 11(12):240.
2. Nikitakis et al., 2023, Int J Sports Physiol Perf, 19(1):53-61.