Treadmill and Swim Bench Ergometry in Triathletes, Runners and Swimmers

The purpose of this study was twofold: to compare peak cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses among college male triathletes (n=7), runners (n=9) and swimmers (n=9) with treadmill and swim bench tests in order to address the issue of training specificity; and to compare these responses between test modes. Dependent variables included peak values of oxygen uptake (O2), minute ventilation (E), heart rate (HR), oxygen pulse (O2/HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Independent variables were athlete group and test mode. Each subject completed two maximal tests, one on the treadmill and one on the swim bench. Peak responses were compared among athlete groups within each test mode and between test modes within each athlete group, using a two-way (group × mode) ANOVA with repeated measures in conjunction with post hoc testing, On the treadmill, runners recorded a significantly greater (p < 0.01) peak O2 than either triathletes or swimmers. On the swim bench, triathletes and swimmers recorded significantly greater (p < 0.05) peak values of O2, E, and HR than did runners. Only peak HR on the swim bench differed significantly (p < 0.05) between triathletes and swimmers. All peak responses were significantly greater (p < 0.05) on the treadmill than on the swim bench within each athlete group. Results indicate that: specificity of training was most apparent on the swim bench between runners and other athlete groups, specificity was least evident between triathletes and swimmers, and treadmill testing stressed the cardiopulmonary system to a markedly greater degree than did swim bench testing. Data support the suggestion that both specific and general adaptations may arise from multiple sport training.