LACTATE TESTING AND USES IN SWIMMING

Troup, J. P. (Ed.). (1990). Selection of effective training categories. In International Center for Aquatic Research annual: Studies by the International Center for Aquatic Research 1989-90. Colorado Springs, CO: United States Swimming Press.

Lactate testing is a good indicator of how one responds to an overload but is not good for prescribing training paces specific to work categories. This is because lactate removal rates vary between athletes and do not depend on training intensities. Lactate values must be used with caution and testing should be limited to simply describing how muscles adapt to different workloads and whether an overall training adaptation is taking place.

Lactate accumulation appears to be duration dependent because some longer races (200 and 400 m) produce more lactate. The need for a strong buffer capacity is highest for the 200 m event. This suggests that lactate tolerance training is very important for that distance.

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