\(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}\) kinetics and energy contribution in simulated maximal performance during short and middle distance-trials in swimming

This study aims to analyze swimmers’ oxygen uptake kinetics ($$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$K) and bioenergetic profiles in 50, 100, and 200 m simulated swimming events and determine which physiological variables relate with performance. Twenty-eight well-trained swimmers completed an incremental test for maximal oxygen uptake (Peak-$$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$) and maximal aerobic velocity (MAV) assessment. Maximal trials (MT) of 50, 100, and 200-m in front crawl swimming were performed for $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$K and bioenergetic profile. $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$K parameters were calculated through monoexponential modeling and by a new growth rate method. The recovery phase was used along with the blood lactate concentration for bioenergetics profiling. Peak-$$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$ (57.47 ± 5.7 ml kg−1 min−1 for male and 53.53 ± 4.21 ml kg−1 min−1 for female) did not differ from $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$peak attained at the 200-MT for female and at the 100 and 200-MT for male. From the 50-MT to 100-MT and to the 200-MT the $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$K presented slower time constants (8.6 ± 2.3 s, 11.5 ± 2.4 s and 16.7 ± 5.5 s, respectively), the aerobic contribution increased (~ 34%, 54% and 71%, respectively) and the anaerobic decreased (~ 66%, 46% and 29%, respectively), presenting a cross-over in the 100-MT. Both energy systems, MAV, Peak-$$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$, and $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$ peak of the MT’s were correlated with swimming performance. The aerobic energy contribution is an important factor for performance in 50, 100, and 200-m, regardless of the time taken to adjust the absolute oxidative response, when considering the effect on a mixed-group regarding sex. $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$K speeding could be explained by a faster initial pacing strategy used in the shorter distances, that contributed for a more rapid increase of the oxidative contribution to the energy turnover.