ABSTRACT
Various external conditions in and outside the water have been shown to affect the performances while swimming. This study aimed to investigate effects of pool length in two series of exercises in both 25-m and 50-m pools. This was done by examining the maximum turning speed to observe the effects of turning skill on the results obtained in the two training conditions. The biomechanical performances were evaluated by the stroke rate, stroke length and mean velocity in five 200-m swims. Turning benefit was measured by underwater filming as a percentage speed gain during turning in comparison with normal all-out swimming. Metabolic effects were examined by the measument of blood lactate concentration and heart rate. The results demonstrated considerable effects of turning skill on the observed differences between the two testing conditions. Extra turns could be seen to allow longer stroke length throughout the short course swims as compared to long course. Elite swimmers could gain more advantage from the turns than their less-good counterparts.
