The influence of sex on high intensity swimming test

Authors

  • Javier Moreno Lara Department of Human Movement and Sports Performance, University of Seville, Spain.
  • Inmaculada López-León Department of Human Movement and Sports Performance, University of Seville, Spain.
  • Luís Leitão Sciences and Technology Department, Superior School of Education of Polytechnic Institute of Setubal, 2910-761 Setúbal, Portugal.
  • Sandro Fernandes da Silva Physical Education Department, University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil - Studies Research Group in Neuromuscular Responses (GEPREN), University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, Brazil.
  • Antonio Jesús Sánchez-Oliver Department of Human Movement and Sports Performance, University of Seville, Spain / Studies Research Group in Neuromuscular Responses (GEPREN), University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, Brazil.
  • Raúl Domínguez Department of Human Movement and Sports Performance, University of Seville, Spain / Studies Research Group in Neuromuscular Responses (GEPREN), University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, Brazil.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.608401
Keywords: Exercise, High Intensity Interval Training, Lactate, Metabolism, Physical Exertion

Abstract

Differences based on sex have been reported in the energetic and mechanical demands of different exercise modalities; however, no studies have analyzed the influence of sex during high-intensity swimming. The aim of this study was to determine sex-based differences in the response to a high intensity swimming test on performance, fatigue, blood lactate concentrations (BLa) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). A total of 23 competitive swimmers (11 males; 12 females) performed 8 sets of 50-m at maximum intensity with 2 minutes of recovery intra-sets. Pre- and post-exercise, BLa was analysed. In addition, RPE were administered at the end of each 50-m. Differences were detected in the high intensity swimming test on sex (η²p=0.566; p<0.001) and time (η²p=0.233; p<0.001), but not for the interaction time·sex (p>0.05). It was reported an effect for time on BLa (η²p=0.947; p<0.001) and RPE (η²p=0.559; p<0.001), but not for sex nor the interaction time·sex (p>0.05). Although males are faster, not differences were found in BLa, fatigue nor RPE between sexes. These results could be mediated by the all-out nature of the protocol and practical implications suggest that it is not necessary to adapt the training load in high intensity swimming session attending to the sex of the athletes.

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Published
24-12-2025
How to Cite
Moreno Lara, J., López León, I., Leitão, L., Fernandes da Silva, S., Sánchez-Oliver, A. J., & Domínguez, R. (2025). The influence of sex on high intensity swimming test. SPORT TK-EuroAmerican Journal of Sport Sciences, 14, 149. https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.608401
Issue
Vol. 14 (2025)
Section
Articles

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The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:

1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.

© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013

2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.

3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.