Guglielmo, L. G., & Denadai, B. S. (1999). Assessment of anaerobic threshold and performance of swimmers in crawl sprints of 400m. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), Supplement abstract 414.

The relationships between arm and pool tests that yield anaerobic threshold estimates and 400-m crawl stroke performance were determined. Male swimmers (N = 9) performed the following activities: a 400-m time trial (TT); 3 x 400 m at intensities of 80%, 85%, 90% of best velocity to determine anaerobic threshold (IP), and a continuous (CL) and intermittent tests (IL) on an arm ergometer to determine anaerobic thresholds.

Estimates of anaerobic threshold were significantly related between IP and CL (r = .72), but not significantly related between IL and IP. Swimming time was significantly related to anaerobic threshold estimates in CL and IP. IP was the best test for estimating 400-m velocity while CL also offered a reasonable estimate.

Implication. The estimate of anaerobic threshold derived from performing a set of three increasing intensity submaximal 400-m swims was the best predictor of 400-m swimming time. However, the time taken to conduct that series of swims is much greater than that required by the criterion swim itself. Thus, the best test for evaluating 400-m performance is simply to swim the distance as fast as possible.

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