Post-race lactate, clearance velocity, and recovery protocols in youth competitive swimming

Post-race cool-downs play a crucial role in enhancing lactate clearance and recovery in competitive swimming. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 1200 m cool-down protocol in facilitating blood lactate removal across different race distances. It also explored the relationship between perceptual and physiological markers of eff ort and recovery, specifically: (a) the correlation between Total Quality of Recovery (TQR) and pre-race lactate concentrations, and (b) the association between Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and post-race lactate concentrations. A total of 26 male and female swimmers (17.83 ± 2.25 years) were included. Capillary blood samples were collected at three time points—Pre-Race Lactate (PreRLa), Post-Race Lactate (PoRLa), and Post-Cool Down Lactate (PoCDLa)—during a state-level meet. TQR and RPE were recorded at the start and end of each race, respectively. Lactate Clearance % and Lactate Clearance Velocity were calculated for analysis. We used SPSS 23 for statistical tests, with significance set at p < .05. Results showed significant differences in PoRLa concentrations across race distances (p = .001), with higher post-race lactate accumulation in 100 m swimmers. Although Lactate Clearance was similar across distances, Lactate Clearance Velocity was highest in the 100 m group. No significant differences were observed in TQR and RPE scores. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between PoRLa and Lactate Clearance Velocity (r = .916) and a moderate positive association between PoR-La and PoCDLa (r = .523). These findings demonstrate differences in post-race lactate responses and clearance velocity across swimming events. The study provides practical insights to refi ne cool-down protocols and optimize recovery strategies tailored to the unique metabolic demands of competitive swimmers.