Physiological and metabolic responses to rescue simulation in surf beach lifeguarding

• Published in: Journal of exercise physiology online Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 21 - 31
• Main Authors: Salvador, Amadeo F, Penteado, Rafael, Lisboa, Felipe D, Corvino, Rogerio B, Peduzzi, Eduardo S, Caputo, Fabrizio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Society of Exercise Physiologists 01-06-2014
• Subjects: Lifeguards; Physiological aspects; Powers and duties; Rescue work; Swimming; Training
• ISSN: 1097-9751; 1097-9751

Salvador AF, Penteado R, Lisboa FD, Corvino RB, Peduzzi ES, Caputo F. Physiological and Metabolic Responses to Rescue Simulation in Surf Beach Lifeguarding. JEPonline 2014;17(3):21-31. The aim of this study was to characterize the physiological and metabolic demands of a rescue simulation and identified the determinants. Eight male beach lifeguards performed in different days: (a) an incremental test on a treadmill determine maximal heart rate (HR max), maximal oxygen uptake (V[O.sub.2] max), and blood lactate concentration ([La]) profile; (b) a 300-m maximal specific swimming test in the pool; and (c) two rescue simulation performances in a surf beach without (RS1) and with a rescue tube (RS2). The performance time and [[La].sub.PEAK] for pool testing (386 ± 54 sec and 13.5 mMol x [L.sup.-1]), RS1 (351 ± 70 sec and 14.1 mMol x [L.sup.-1]), and RS2 (360 ± 47 sec 13.5 mMol x [L.sup.-1]) were not significantly different. No significant correlations were found between the laboratory-based measures and pool performance testing with both rescue performances. Significant correlation was found between R1 and R2 (r = .83). It is concluded that the simulated rescue on the surf beach showed a high physiological and metabolic demand and seems to be strongly independent of environment conditions, thus requiring a different set of swimming skills compared to those acquired only with pool-swimming training. Key Words: Lifeguards, Swimming Ability, Performance, Physical Demand