Reliability and Validity of a Pool-Based Maximal Oxygen Uptake Test to Examine High-Intensity Short-Duration Freestyle Swimming Performance

Nagle, EF, Nagai, T, Beethe, AZ, Lovalekar, MT, Zera, JN, Connaboy, C, Abt, JP, Beals, K, Nindl, BC, Robertson, RJ, and Lephart, SM. Reliability and validity of a pool-based maximal oxygen uptake test to examine high-intensity short-duration freestyle swimming performance. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1208-1215, 2019-A modality-specific swimming protocol to assess maximal oxygen uptake (Vo²max^sw) is essential to accurately prescribe and monitor swimming conditioning programs. Consequently, there is a need for a reliable and valid graded intensity swimming pool test to accurately assess Vo²max^sw using indirect calorimetry. The purpose of this study was to assess (a) reliability of an intensity self-regulated swimming pool test of Vo²max^sw and (b) validity of a Vo²max^sw test using performance swim (PS) time as the criterion. Twenty-nine men (n = 15) and women (n = 14) (age, 23 ± 6.4 years; body mass index, 23.5 ± 3.0 kg·m^-2) performed 2 swimming pool Vo²max^sw trials (Vo²max^sw A and Vo²max^sw B), and 2 PS tests (45.7 m [31.20 ± 4.5 seconds] and 182 m [159.2 ± 25.5 seconds]). For test-retest reliability (trials A vs. B), strong correlations (p < 0.05) were found for Vo²max^sw (ml·kg^-1·min^-1) (r = 0.899), O² pulse (ml O²·beat^-1) (r = 0.833), and maximum expired ventilatory volume (L·min^-1) (r = 0.785). For performance validity, moderately strong correlations (p < 0.05) were found between Vo²max^sw A and 45.7-m (r =-0.543) and 182-m (r =-0.486) swim times. The self-regulated graded intensity swimming pool protocol examined presently is a reliable and valid test of Vo²max^sw. Studies should consider the suitability of a Vo²max^sw test for military personnel, clinical populations, and injured athletes.