Physiological Characteristics of Champion Synchronized Swimmers

In brief: Data on body composition, metabolic responses to a maximal treadmill run, postexercise blood lactate, pulmonary function, flexibility, and isokinetic work were obtained in 13 champion synchronized swimmers. Metabolic responses to a maximal tethered swimming test were obtained on four of the subjects. The synchronized swimmers were similar to nonathletic women in percent fat(24.0) and were only slightly different in V o2 max(43.2 ml· kg−1-min−1). The postexercise blood lactate of 101.7 mg/100 ml was comparable to values reported for female competitive swimmers. Results suggest that success in synchronized swimming is not heavily dependent on aerobic capacity, although participants in solo and duet events tended to have higher Vo2 max values.