The objectives of this study were: a) to determine the anaerobic threshold (AnT) in soccer players with cerebral palsy and swimmers participant in the Sidney 2000 Paralympic Games and; b) to analyze the behavior of the AnT according to the class of the disabled athletes. 28 disabled athletes participated in the study: 11 soccer players with cerebral palsy (class: F36, F37 and F38) and 17 swimmers (14 men and three women) (class: S1 to S10 and B1). In soccer players, the AnT was determined by an incremental and intermittent protocol in a treadmill. The AnT was identified as the speed corresponding to 3.5 mM of blood lactate. In swimming, the AnT was determined by an incremental and intermittent protocol of 3 x 200 m. After each bout, there was blood collection, and by linear interpolation, the speed corresponding to 4 mM (AnT) was calculated. The maximal aerobic speed (Vamax) and the speed corresponding to the AnT presented a trend of improvement as of the class of the soccer player with cerebral palsy increased. However, the ratio between the speed of AnT/Vamax (approximately 80%) was similar between the classes. In swimming, the speed corresponding to 4 mM increased along with the class, indicating the limitation of functional capacity of the lowest class. However, the lactate concentrations in each percentage of maximal speed of 200 m was very similar between classes, and also that observed in able-bodied swimmers. It can be concluded that the class (and therefore the disability level) interferes in the aerobic functional capacity of disabled athletes. However, the blood lactate response to the submaximal exercise is similar between classes and also to the able-bodied athletes, suggesting the validity of the AnT for aerobic evaluation of swimmers and soccer players with cerebral palsy.
Anaerobic threshold; Swimming; Soccer; Disabled athletes
