Assessment of the specificity of cardiopulmonary response during tethered swimming using a new snorkel device

This study aimed at comparing maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximal heart rate (HRmax), and anaerobic threshold (AT) obtained from tethered swimming (SW) and three other testing procedures: cycling (CY), running (RU), and arm cranking (AC). Variables were assessed in 12 trained male swimmers by a portable gas analyzer connected to a modified snorkel system to allow expired gases collection during swimming. Athletes exhibited a higher VO2max during the SW test as compared to the CY and the AC tests. There was no significant difference in VO2max between the SW and the RU test, but the Bland and Altman plot highlighted a poor agreement between results. Moreover, AT occurred at higher workloads during SW in comparison to the other tests. These results do not support the use of any unspecific testing procedures to estimate VO2max, HRmax, and AT for swimming.