ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between physiological parameters and stroking technique characteristics in front crawl. Subjects performed a swimming economy test for determination of steady-state oxygen uptake (VO2) and an incremental swim test to volitional exhaustion for determination of peak aerobic power (VO2peak). Two additional swim efforts were performed at velocities corresponding to 80 and 100%VO2peak (V80%VO2peak and V100%VO2peak). Stroke length (SL), stroke rate (SR) and velocity at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (VOBLA) were determined to assess stroking technique and endurance ability. For each sub-maximal effort, SL and SR remained unchanged throughout the six minute swim, and VO2 was found to reach steady-state levels. During the 80 and 100%VO2peak swims, SL and SR showed significant decreases and increases, respectively. VO2 increased significantly throughout the 80 and 100% VO2peak swims. Lactate threshold (LT) corresponded to an average velocity of 1.3 m/s and a mean VOBLA of 1.423±0.017 m/s. These results suggest that stroking technique remained unchanged during swimming activities corresponding to aerobic intensities, but changes in swimming mechanics occurred in order to maintain pace at anaerobic workloads.
