Blood lactate, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion responses of elite surf lifesavers to high-performance competition

SummaryA paucity of empirical research exists into surf lifesaving competition from which coaches and athletes may formulate training and recovery strategies. Seventeen (male = 9; female = 8) high-performance surf lifesavers (21.2 ± 3.9 years) contested multiple rounds of team and individual events at a 2-day surf lifesaving competition. Individual events consisted of the multi-discipline ironman (IRON), paddle board (BOARD) and surf swim (SWIM). Blood lactate (BLa), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (HR) were determined following heats, semi-finals and final. IRON HR and RPE following semi-finals (153.0 ± 21.6 beats min−1 and 14.4 ± 1.5) and final (171.0 ± 9.1 beats min−1 and 19.1 ± 0.2) were greater than heats (141.8 ± 17.2 beats min−1 and 12.0 ± 1.9; p < 0.05) and final BLa (10.5 ± 2.8 mmol L−1) was greater than heats (5.8 ± 3.6 mmol L−1; p < 0.05). BOARD BLa and HR were greater after the final (9.0 ± 2.8 mmol L−1 and 159.0 ± 19.9 beats min−1) compared to heats (4.7 ± 2.4 mmol L−1 and 133.0 ± 17.1 beats min−1; p < 0.05). No significant differences were identified for SWIM. RPE–HR relationships were identified for pooled IRON and BOARD results following semi-finals (0.668; p < 0.05) and finals (r = 0.741; p < 0.05). In conclusion, high-performance surf lifesavers employ race strategies with all-out maximal exercise limited to semi-finals and finals.