Olympic swimming coach Michelle is monitoring her athlete's lactate levels during training to help prepare for the upcoming 200m freestyle event.
- Describe the relationship between exercise intensity and lactate production during swimming training. (3 marks)
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- Explain TWO immediate physiological responses that occur alongside changes in lactate levels during high-intensity swimming. (3 marks)
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- Outline ONE benefit of monitoring lactate levels during swimming training. (2 marks)
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Sample Answer
a. Relationship between exercise intensity and lactate production
- At low swimming intensities (easy warm-up pace), lactate levels remain close to resting values (1-2 mmol/L) as the aerobic system adequately meets energy demands.
- As swimming intensity increases to moderate levels, there is a gradual increase in lactate production, though the body can still effectively clear most lactate produced.
- During high-intensity swimming (race pace), lactate levels rise significantly (may exceed 8-10 mmol/L) as the glycolytic energy system becomes the primary energy provider, producing lactate as a by-product.
b. Immediate physiological responses – Any TWO of the following
- Heart rate increases substantially during high-intensity swimming as the cardiovascular system works to deliver more oxygen to working muscles, rising in proportion to the increase in lactate levels.
- Ventilation rate (breathing rate) increases dramatically alongside rising lactate levels, as the swimmer attempts to take in more oxygen and expel carbon dioxide, often resulting in the characteristic gasping for air seen at the end of a race.
- Stroke volume may initially increase but then plateau during very high-intensity swimming when lactate levels are highest.
- Cardiac output increases proportionally with intensity to support greater oxygen demand and assist with lactate clearance.
c. Benefit – Any ONE of the following
- Monitoring lactate levels allows the coach to precisely determine appropriate training intensities for specific energy system development, ensuring the swimmer trains at the correct intensity to improve performance in the 200 m event.
- Lactate testing provides objective feedback about the swimmer’s physiological response to training, allowing for adjustments to training volume and intensity based on individual adaptations rather than subjective feelings of effort.
- Regular lactate monitoring can track improvements in the swimmer’s fitness, with lower lactate levels at the same swimming speed indicating enhanced aerobic capacity and efficiency.
Show Worked Solution
Sample Answer
a. Relationship between exercise intensity and lactate production
- At low swimming intensities (easy warm-up pace), lactate levels remain close to resting values (1-2 mmol/L) as the aerobic system adequately meets energy demands.
- As swimming intensity increases to moderate levels, there is a gradual increase in lactate production, though the body can still effectively clear most lactate produced.
- During high-intensity swimming (race pace), lactate levels rise significantly (may exceed 8-10 mmol/L) as the glycolytic energy system becomes the primary energy provider, producing lactate as a by-product.
b. Immediate physiological responses – Any TWO of the following
- Heart rate increases substantially during high-intensity swimming as the cardiovascular system works to deliver more oxygen to working muscles, rising in proportion to the increase in lactate levels.
- Ventilation rate (breathing rate) increases dramatically alongside rising lactate levels, as the swimmer attempts to take in more oxygen and expel carbon dioxide, often resulting in the characteristic gasping for air seen at the end of a race.
- Stroke volume may initially increase but then plateau during very high-intensity swimming when lactate levels are highest.
- Cardiac output increases proportionally with intensity to support greater oxygen demand and assist with lactate clearance.
c. Benefit – Any ONE of the following
- Monitoring lactate levels allows the coach to precisely determine appropriate training intensities for specific energy system development, ensuring the swimmer trains at the correct intensity to improve performance in the 200 m event.
- Lactate testing provides objective feedback about the swimmer’s physiological response to training, allowing for adjustments to training volume and intensity based on individual adaptations rather than subjective feelings of effort.
- Regular lactate monitoring can track improvements in the swimmer’s fitness, with lower lactate levels at the same swimming speed indicating enhanced aerobic capacity and efficiency.