The Relationship Between Pulse Rate and Speed as a Measurement of Performance for Competitive Swimmers

<p>The purpose for this study was to determine the relationship between pulse rate and speed of performance in competitive swimmers and to determine whether the ratio of time/pulse rate was indicative of the level of efficiency for the performance.</p> <p>The goal of competitive swimmers and coaches was to increase maximum heart rate and decrease swimming time. Since pulse rate was indicative of performance, it was expected that a high level performance would produce a high pulse rate. The effort involved in swimming practice therefore must be maintained at a high level. As a measure of performance efficiency, the best performance would produce the lowest time/pulse rate ratio.</p> <p>Although other physiological parameters would expand on this hypothesis the scope of the investigation was limited to heart rate and time.</p> <p>A non-probability sample of nine University of North Dakota Varsity Swimmers was used in this study.</p> <p>The test used consisted of: 150 yard freestyle sprint for time and a carotid artery pulse taken for 15 seconds immediately after the sprint. The test was preceded by a standardized warm-up.</p> <p>A multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between pulse rate and time. Also the changes of time/pulse rate were shown over the four periods of a competitive season, and how they related to the level of efficiency. It was concluded that a high negative correlation existed between the time and pulse at the end of the season, after a 5 month training program.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology & Public Health Education

Year

1975

Author dc:creator

• Gordon, Hugh S.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.und.edu/theses/503

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.und.edu:theses-1502