Gender Difference of Aerobic Contribution to Surface Performances in Finswimming: Analysis Using the Critical Velocity Method

PURPOSE: Finswimming is a speed competition sport practiced on the surface or underwater, by using monofins or two fins. In surface events (SF), competitors should surface within 15 m after the start and any turns. The aim of this study was to investigate the gender differences in the aerobic contribution to SF performances in finswimming, using the critical velocity (CV) concept in the analysis. METHODS: The participants were sixteen monofin swimmers (eight males and eight females; 24±6 years). During a two-day period, participants performed maximal effort swimming at five test distances (100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m and 1500 m), and mean swimming velocity (V) of each distance was calculated. CV was calculated as the slope of the regression line between time and distance in the 400 and 800 m SF tests. RESULTS: Although CV was significantly correlated with V800 m and V1500 m for males, it was significantly correlated with V200 m, V400 m, V800 m and V1500 m for females. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that although the aerobic performance might contribute to SF performance for events from medium distance (i.e. 200m) to long distance (i.e. 1500m) in female participants, it might contribute to the long distance SF performances in male participants.