A Comparison of Swimming Economy Between Two Full-Sleeve Wetsuits

A wetsuit is an important piece of equipment that a triathlete uses during their swim-bike-run race. Wetsuits differ based on style (e.g., full-sleeve or sleeveless), manufacturer and price. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare swimming economy in two full-sleeve wetsuits in a group of recreational swimmers and triathletes. METHODS: Nine men (34.3 ± 13.3 years old) and six women (37.8 ± 16.0 years old) completed a progressive swim test to exhaustion in a swim flume without a wetsuit to determine their peak rate of oxygen consumption (VO2peak). This was followed by three 5-min swimming bouts at a constant, submaximal speed. The three trials were randomized and consisted of an entry-level full-sleeve wetsuit (blueseventy Sprint), a high-end full-sleeve wetsuit (blueseventy Helix) and no wetsuit. Rates of O2 consumption and CO2 production were measured using a metabolic cart and heart rate was determined with a chest strap. Data from the last 2 min of each submaximal swimming trial were analyzed. RESULTS: Peak rate of O2 consumption was 40.6 ± 8.0 ml kg-1 min-1 and corresponded to a respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE; Borg scale) of 0.97 ± 0.07, 165 ± 12 bpm, and 16.2 ± 1.7, respectively. The pace for the submaximal swimming trials was 1.02 ± 0.14 m/s, which corresponded to 79.7% ± 6.7% of their VO2peak. The subjects expended 9.8 ± 2.7 and 9.9 ± 2.9 kcal/min while swimming in the high-end and entry-level wetsuit, respectively. Both wetsuits reduced energy expenditure compared to swimming without a wetsuit (11.8 ± 3.5 kcal/min; p \u3c 0.001). Heart rate was significantly higher (p \u3c 0.001) with no wetsuit (146 ± 12 bpm), but did not differ between wetsuits (high-end 137 ± 13 bpm; entry-level 137 ±15 bpm). Arm cadence did not differ between trials (p = 0.571). Lastly, RPE was 12.1 ± 1.6 with no wetsuit compared to 10.9 ± 1.4 (p = 0.018) and 11.1 ± 1.5 (p = 0.051) for the high-end and entry-level wetsuits, respectively. CONCLUSION: The were no differences in any measured variable between wetsuits, although swimming with either wetsuit was more economical compared to swimming without a wetsuit. Data from this study suggest that a wetsuit should be worn when allowed but that the specific model of wetsuit may be less important. Future studies should compare two homogenous groups of swimmers or triathletes (e.g., elite vs. beginner) or see how wearing a wetsuit affects performance during the cycling segment of a triathlon

Safety and tolerability of subcutaneous trastuzumab for the adjuvant treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive early breast cancer: SafeHer phase III study's primary analysis of 2573 patients

Aim To assess the safety and tolerability of adjuvant subcutaneous trastuzumab (Herceptin® SC, H SC), delivered from an H SC Vial via hand-held syringe (Cohort A) or single-use injection device (Cohort B), with or without chemotherapy, for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive stage I to IIIC early breast cancer (EBC) in the phase III SafeHer study (NCT01566721). Methods Patients received 600 mg fixed-dose H SC every 3 weeks for 18 cycles. The chemotherapy partner was at the investigators' discretion (H SC monotherapy was limited to ≤10% of the population). Data from the first H SC dose until 28 days (plus a 5-day window) after the last dose are presented. Results are descriptive. Results In the overall population, 2282/2573 patients (88.7%) experienced adverse events (AEs). Of the above, 128 (5.0%) patients experienced AEs leading to study drug discontinuation; 596 (23.2%) experienced grade ≥ 3 AEs and 326 (12.7%) experienced serious AEs. Grade ≥ 3 cardiac disorders were reported in 24 patients (0.9%), including congestive heart failure in eight (0.3%). As expected, the AE rates varied according to the timing of chemotherapy in both cohorts, with higher rates in concurrent versus sequential chemotherapy subgroups. In the concurrent chemotherapy subgroup, AEs were more common during the actual period of concurrent chemotherapy compared with the period when patients did not receive concurrent chemotherapy. Conclusion SafeHer confirms the safety and tolerability of the H SC 600 mg fixed dose for 1 year (every 3 weeks for 18 cycles) as adjuvant therapy with concurrent or sequential chemotherapy for HER2-positive EBC. These primary analysis results are consistent with the known safety profile for intravenous H and H SC