Relationship between blood glucose response and respiratory exchange ratio during intermittent incremental swimming test in well trained swimmers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between blood glucose (Glu) response and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) during an intermittent incremental swimming test in well-trained swimmers. Seven male swimmers participated in this study. The participants conducted an intermittent incremental swimming test consisting of 3-min periods of swimming with 2-min intervals in a swimming flume. Blood lactate (Bla) and Glu were measured after each incremental swimming step. Metabolic response was measured continuously to investigate RER. As results, Glu remained at a similar level throughout the test, whereas Bla and RER abruptly increased at high-intensity swimming stage. Rise in RER reflects the increase in carbohydrate oxidation, it was clarified that Glu did not increase while carbohydrate metabolism enhanced. It was speculated that Glu clearance from the blood was higher during high-intensity swimming, which result in different Glu response compared to exercise on land.