Critical swim speed and metabolic activities in trained male and female swimmers after 400 m free style swimming with their full effort

Purpose: This study was done to ascertain gender dif ferences in trained swimmers between their Critical S wim Speed (CSS). Certain metabolic responses, imme diately after 400 meters free style swimming (FSS), w ith maximum effort, were also studied. Methods: The analysis was conducted in trained swi mmers between 12- 18 years age. Height, weight, bod y fat quantity were estimated using standard techniqu es. CSS was measured for each swimmer. Blood samp les were taken within two minutes of 400 meters FSS, with maximum efforts. The blood creatinine, lactic ac id, serum calcium, serum urea and serum urea nitroge n were estimated using standard laboratory methods. Results: With the maximal effort of 400 meters FSS, values of hematological variables for both sexes were found to increase many folds than reference values. Si gnificant (p<0.05) gender differences were observed in CSS and blood creatinine. The positive significant (p<0.05) correlation was found between CSS and heig ht in the swimmers. For trained male swimmers signif icant positive correlations among CSS, blood urea an d serum urea nitrogen were found. Conclusions: This study reflects metabolic status of b oth trained male and female swimmers, after their full efforts. Besides blood creatinine no significant differe nces were observed in them. So it may conclude that e ffective physical training minimizes the metabolic de mands during their full efforts and gender differences could be overcome.