Date of Award

8-1-1975

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Kinesiology & Public Health Education

Abstract

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.

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.

Although other physiological parameters would expand on this hypothesis the scope of the investigation was limited to heart rate and time.

A non-probability sample of nine University of North Dakota Varsity Swimmers was used in this study.

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.

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.

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