RESUMO
In order to examine the physical and physiological demands of water polo, we assessed the profile of elite water polo players. Nineteen male professional water polo players (age: 25.5+/-5.0 years, height: 184.5+/-4.3 cm body mass: 90.7+/-6.4 kg) underwent body composition assessment by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We also evaluated peak oxygen consumption VO2peak, lactate threshold (LT), energy cost of swimming (C s), anaerobic capacity and isokinetic shoulder strength. Body fat (%) was 16.8+/-4.4, lean mass (LM) 75.1+/-4.9 kg and bone mineral density (BMD) 1.37+/-0.07 g.cm(-2) . VO2peak was 57.9+/-7 ml.kg(-1). min(-1) . LT was identified at 3.9+/-0.7 mmol.l(-1) at a swimming velocity (v) of 1.33+/-0.05 m.s(-1) with a heart rate of 154+/-7 bpm, corresponding to an intensity of 83+/-9 of VO2peak. The average C s of swimming at the LT was 1.08+/-0.04 kJ.m(-1).C s at LT was correlated to body mass index (BMI) (r=0.22, P=0.04) and to swimming performance at 400 m (r=0.86, P=0.01) and 4 x 50 m (r=0.84, P<0.01). Internal rotator muscles were stronger compared to the external rotators by a 2:1 ratio. This study provides a quantitative representation of both physical and physiological demands of water polo and proposes a comprehensive battery of tests that can be used for assessing the status of a team.