This study was designed to analyze physiologically recreational synchronized swimming and speed swimming. Two types of recreational synchronized swimming (Long face-in time performance : LFIP and Short face-in time performance : SFIP) and maximum exertion in the 200-m free style swimming (200 mFR) were measured in six recreational middle-aged female swimmers. LFIP and SFIP were conducted in shallow water. The percentage of face-in time for LFIP was about 10% longer than that of SFIP. Heart rate (HR) during each exercise was measured continuously. Blood lactate concentration (La), the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were measured after each exercise. Average HR during the LFIP, SFIP and 200 mFR were 133±12, 132±13 and 153±12 beats·min^-1 (mean ± SD), respectively. La was 2.4±0.7 mmol·1^-1for LFIP, 2.2±0.6 mmol·1^-1for SFIP and 5.7 ± 2.4 mmol·1^-1for 200 mFR, respectively. SBP was 181±32 mmHg for LFIP, 166±22 mmHg for SFIP and 185±30 mmHg for 200 mFR, respectively. No significant differences were observed in blood pressure among the three exercises. SBP of 200 mmHg or higher after LFIP and 200 mFR was observed in some subjects. HR, La and RPE for LFIP and SFIP showed no significant differences, but were significantly lower than those of 200 mFR. These results show that the exercise intensity of LFIP was moderate and was similar to that of SFIP. LFIP, however, caused a marked rise in SBP. Thus, SFIP may be more recommended for health promotion to recreational middle-aged swimmers than LFIP.

A study was conducted to clarify the exercise intensity and metabolic condition during a free routine of synchronized swimming with respect to heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (La) and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) . Six well trained female synchronized swimmers participated as subjects. HR during the free routine was measured continuously. La and RPE during the free routine were measured intermittently from the start to end of each stage. Maximum heart rate (swimmingHRmax : S-HRmax) was determined by measurement of maximum oxygen uptake using a swimming flume. Peak blood lactate concentration (Peak La) was measured after the maximum front crawl stroke of 100 m. The average values and S. D. of S-HRmax and Peak La were 180.0±3.8 beats · min^-1 and 9.6 ± 1.0 mmol · 1^-1, respectively. Average values, S. D. and ranges of HR and %S-HRmax during the free routine were 137.6±25.5 (60-180) beats · min^-1 and 76.5± 14.3 (34.5-96.8) %, respectively. HR during the free routine showed a decrease in the breath-holding phase. Average values and S. D. of La, %Peak La and RPE at the fourth stage were 5.4±1.2mmol·1^-1, 57.0±17.2% and 17.7±0.8, respectively. La, %Peak La and RPE at the fourth stage were significantly higher than those at the other stages, and La, %Peak La and RPE at the third stage were significantly higher than those at the second stage. These results suggested that the overall intensity of the free routine was moderate, but that part of the free routine included high-intensity activity and the percentage of anaerobic metabolism during the free routine increased in the final stages