Keskinen, K. L., and Keskinen, O. P. (1998). Determination of training loads from stroking performance in front crawl swimming. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 328.

Interrelationships between blood lactate measurements and stroke velocity, rate, and length values were determined in male and female swimmers (N = 30). Ss performed 10 x 100-m swims twice within three days to check for assessment reliability. Speeds were governed by pacing lights. Blood lactate, Stroke rate, and stroke length curves were developed as a function of swimming velocity.

Velocity was most associated with blood lactate measures and least with stroke length.

It was proposed that blood lactate measures and stroking characteristics should be used together when independently evaluating training loads.

Implication. Stroking velocity is related most to the level of work, as measured by blood lactate accumulations, and least to stroke length. However, why one would want to go to the trouble of measuring these factors when velocity is the criterion variable and the most easily measured is not clear.

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