The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of gradually increasing exercise on oxygen consumption and lactate levels in swimmers. A total of 14 male individuals, 7 elite swimmers and 7 healthy sedentaries as control, between 18-23 years old in the province of Gaziantep were included to the study voluntarily. Ramp protocol was applied to the subjects in cardiopulmonary exercise test with gradually increasing intensity in cycle ergometer. Parameters, such as oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, pulse changes, the level of fatigue of the athletes, were also followed with the help of the gas analyzer. Subjects' height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), maximal work rate (WRmax), maximal minute ventilation (VEmax), resting heart rate (HRrest), maximal heart rate (HRmax), maximal oxygen uptake capacity (VO2max) were measured. The measurement of lactic acid was performed before, after and 5 minutes after starting to cardiopulmonary exercise test and during the entire test oxygen consumption was measured by ergospirometer. For the difference in dependent variables between the experimental and control groups, independent-samples t test (independent two-tailed t-test) was used. Two-way (Group/Test) mixed variance analysis (Two-way 2x3 Mixed ANOVA) was used in order to assess lactate (LA) changes of experimental and control groups during the application. All in all, cardiopulmonary exercise test administered to swimmers and sedentary subjects revealed that aerobic endurance, anaerobic endurance and lactate concentration were better in people who exercise regularly.
