Validity and Reliability of Critical Speed, Critical Stroke Rate, and Anaerobic Capacity in Relation to Front Crawl Swimming Performances

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the concepts of critical swimming speed, critical stroke rate and anaerobic swimming capacity could be used by coaches as a reliable index in order to monitor endurance performances in competitive swimmers. The results of this study conducted with well-trained swimmers showed that the 30-min test velocity (V30) is not different from the critical swimming speed determined from 200- and 400-m tests but is overestimated by 3.2 %. Furthermore, a regression analysis of the number of stroke cycles on time calculated for each swimmer showed a linear relationship (r(2) greater than 0.99 and p less than 0.01). The 30-min stroke rate test (SR30) was not different from the critical stroke rate determined from 200- and 400-m tests after a correction of minus 3.9 %. These data suggest that the slope of this regression line represents the critical stroke rate defined as the maximal stroke rate value, which can theoretically be maintained continuously without exhaustion. Coaches could easily use critical swimming speed combined with critical stroke rate in order not only to set aerobic training loads but also to control the swimming technique during training. Besides, anaerobic swimming capacity (ASC) values defined as the y-intercept of the regression line between distance and time were not correlated (p > 0.05) with the determined distance over which a significant drop in the maximal speed could be noticed on a 25-m test. Thus, ASC does not provide a reliable estimation of the anaerobic capacity.

Validade do teste de 30 minutos (T-30) na determinação da capacidade aeróbia, parâmetros de braçada e performance aeróbia de nadadores treinados

“…This result confirms the findings in the literature, reinforcing the possibility to use the T-30 test as a determinant index of aerobic capacity in swimming (2,6,(8)(9)(10)(11) . Besides that, the mean concentration of peak lactate found at the end of the T-30 test was of 3.76 ± 1.65 mM, a value very close to the lactate concentration used in the test for VLan determination.…”

“…Besides that, the mean concentration of peak lactate found at the end of the T-30 test was of 3.76 ± 1.65 mM, a value very close to the lactate concentration used in the test for VLan determination. Dekerle et al (8) observed peak lactate concentration of 3.65 ± 1.58 in the T-30 test, a value also close to 3.5 mM. Olbrecht et al (6) while using the steady concentration of 4 mM did not find significant difference either, besides finding a high correlation between the VLan and mean velocity in 30 minutes, with peak lactate concentration of 4.01 ± 0.75 mM.…”

“…However, when the effort is performed at intensities above the anaerobic threshold, a progressive reduction in SL is observed, this fact being relied on the development of local muscle fatigue. Dekerle et al (8) highlighted that the swimmer should be able to choose the SR corresponding to the lowest energy cost during his event, suggesting hence a relationship between physiological and technical parameters in swimming. Langeani et al (20) demonstrated the occurrence of increase and sudden decrease of SR and SL, respectively, following the lactacidemia behavior in progressive exercise.…”

“…The mean velocity of the T-30 test (VT-30) has been highly correlated with the anaerobic velocity threshold (6,(8)(9)(10)(11) and with swimming performance (12) , which is non-invasive and of easy application.…”

High Agreement between Laboratory and Field Estimates of Critical Power in Cycling

“…Wakayoshi [42] and Dekerle [7] suggested that the field estimation of CV in swimmers requires only two performances (200m and 400m). In running Kranenburg and Smith [24] estimated lab CV using constant load tests on a treadmill that induced exhaustion within 3, 7 and 12 mins, and employed three set distances, each run on an indoor track, to estimate field CV.…”