Angus, C., Kendall, R., & Beneke, R. (2004). Assessment of critical velocity and blood lactate in pre-pubertal swimmers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 36(5), Supplement abstract 824.

“Critical velocity (CV) in swimming represents the speed that can be theoretically maintained indefinitely without exhaustion and has been suggested as a marker of endurance ability” (p. S121). This study sought to evaluate methods of determining critical velocity and to test the hypothesis that CV identifies an exercise intensity without net lactate production in pre-pubertal swimmers. Boys (N = 7) performed four crawl stroke time trials over four distances (54.8, 109.7, 219.4, and 438.7 meters). Lactate was determined pre- and post-trial.

It was found that the different models for determining CV were not significantly different. It was demonstrated that an optimum velocity can be calculated where no lactate accumulates.

Implication. An optimum velocity that does not accumulate lactic acid can be determined.

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