Marinho, D. A., Amorim, R. A., Costa, A. M., & Neiva, H. P. (2011). The relationship between "anaerobic" critical velocity and swimming performance in young swimmers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(5). Supplement abstract 2451.

This study analyzed the relationship between anaerobic critical velocity and short-distance performances in the four swimming strokes in young swimmers (~12.1 years; M = 12; F = 8). Ss' stroke specialties were front crawl (N = 20), backstroke (N= 6), breaststroke (N = 6), and butterfly (N = 7). To assess anaerobic critical velocity, Ss performed four distances (10, 15, 20, and 25 m) at maximum velocity, with 30-minute rest intervals, in a 25 m swimming pool. Two stopwatches registered times and in-water starts were used. Anaerobic critical velocity was considered as the slope of the linear regression equation established between distance and time. 50, 100, and 200 m individual short-course best performances of the season in the four swimming strokes were used to compare to anaerobic critical velocity.

Anaerobic critical velocity was correlated with the 50 m swimming event velocity in breaststroke (r = 0.92), front crawl (r = 0.85), and backstroke (r = 0.85), and with the 100 m swimming event velocity in the same swimming strokes (breaststroke: r = 0.90; front crawl: r = 0.91; backstroke: r = 0.86). Considering the 200 m swimming performance, relationships were found in front crawl (r = 0.90) and in breaststroke (r = 0.89). Differences between anaerobic critical velocity and 50 m swimming performance were observed for all swimming strokes, and also in breaststroke, front crawl, and backstroke for the 100 m. However, when comparing anaerobic critical velocity and the 200 m swimming event velocity, there were no differences in the four swimming strokes.

Implication. Linear relationships between anaerobic critical velocity and performance in the 50 m and 100 m events were found. The 200 m swimming event velocities relate similarly to anaerobic critical velocity in the four swimming strokes. Anaerobic performance components are important in young swimmers. [This finding is in conflict with those who consider only aerobic training is important for prepubescent swimmers.]

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