The aim of this study was to observe the relationship between time limit at the minimum velocity that elicits maximal oxygen consumption (TLim-v V̇O2 max) and stroke rate, stroke length, and stroke index. 13 men and 10 women, highly trained swimmers, performed an intermittent incremental test for v V̇O2 max assessment and an all-out swim to estimate TLim-v V̇O2 max. The mean ± SD TLim-v V̇O2 max, v V̇O2 max, stroke rate, stroke length, and stroke index values were 233.36 ± 53.92 sec., 1.40 ± .06 meter/sec., 35.58 ± 2.89 cycles/min., 2.39 ± .22 meter/cycle, and 3.36 ± .41 meter2/(cycle · sec.), respectively. The correlation between TLim-v V̇O2 max and stroke rate was –.51 (p < .01), and values for TLim-v V̇O2 max with stroke length (r = .52, p < .01) and stroke index (r = 45, p < .05). These results seem to suggest that technical skill is a key factor in typical efforts requiring prolonged aerobic power.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BarbosaT. M.KeskinenK. L.FernandesR. J.ColaçoP. J.CarmoC., & Vilas-BoasJ. P. (2005) Relationships between energetic stroke determinants and velocity in butterfly. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 26, 841–846.
2.
BillatV.FainaM., & DalmonteA. (1996) A comparison of time to exhaustion at VO2 max in elite cyclists, kayak paddlers, swimmers and runners. Ergonomics, 39, 267–277.
3.
BillatV., & KoralszteinJ. P. (1996) Significance of the velocity at VO2 max and time to exhaustion at this velocity. Sports Medicine, 22, 90–108.
4.
CardelliC.LerdaR., & CholletD. (2000) Analysis of breathing in the crawl as a function of skill and stroke characteristics. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 90, 979–987.
5.
CardosoC.FernandesR., & Vilas-BoasJ. P. (2003) Comparison of continuous and intermittent triangular protocols for direct VO2 max assessment in swimming. In ChatardJ-C. (Ed.), Biomechanics and medicine in swimming IX. Saint-Étienne: Publications de l'Université de Saint-Étienne. Pp. 313–318.
6.
ChatardJ. C.CollompC.MaglischoE., & MaglischoC. (1990) Swimming skill and stroking characteristics of front crawl swimmers. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 11, 156–161.
7.
ChengalurS. N., & BrownP. L. (1992) An analysis of male and female Olympic swimmers in the 200-meter events. Canadian Journal of Sport Sciences, 17, 104–109.
8.
CholletD.PelayoP.DelaplaceC.TournyC., & SidneyM. (1997) Stroking characteristic variations in the 100-m freestyle for male swimmers of differing skill. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 85, 167–177.
9.
CostillD.KovaleskiJ.PorterD.KirwanJ.FieldingR., & KingD. (1985) Energy expenditure during front crawl swimming: predicting success in middle-distance events. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 6, 266–270.
10.
CraigA., & PendergastD. (1979) Relationships of stroke rate, distance per stroke and velocity in competitive swimming. Medicine and Science in Sport, 11, 278–283.
11.
CraigA. B.Jr.SkehanP. L.PawelczykJ. A., & BoomerW. L. (1985) Velocity, stroke rate and distance per stroke during elite swimming competition. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 17, 625–634.
12.
DekerleJ.NesiX.LefevreT.DepretzS.SidneyM.MarchandH., & PelayoP. (2005) Stroking parameters in front crawl swimming and maximal lactate steady state speed. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 26, 53–58.
13.
DemarieS.SardellaF.BillatV.MaginiW., & FainaM. (2001) The VO2 slow component in swimming. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 84, 95–99.
14.
EastD. J. (1970) Swimming: an analysis of stroke frequency, stroke length and performance. New Zealand Journal of Heart, Physical Education and Recreation, 3, 16–27.
15.
FainaM.BillatV.SquadroneR.De AngelisM.KoralszteinJ., & Dal MonteA. (1997) Anaerobic contribution to the time to exhaustion at the minimal exercise intensity at which maximal oxygen uptake occurs in elite cyclists, kayakists and swimmers. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 76, 13–20.
16.
FernandesR. J.BillatV. L.CruzA. C.ColaçoP. J.CardosoC. S., & Vilas-BoasJ. P. (2005) Has gender any effect on the relationship between time limit at VO2 max velocity and swimming economy?Journal of Human Movement Studies, 49, 127–148.
17.
FernandesR. J.CardosoC. S.SoaresS. M.AscensãoA. A.ColaçoP. J., & Vilas-BoasJ. P. (2003) Time limit and VO2 slow component at intensities corresponding to VO2 max in swimmers. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 24, 576–581.
18.
HowleyE. T.BasseetT., & WelchH. G. (1995) Criteria for maximal oxygen uptake: review and commentary. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 27, 1292–1301.
19.
KennedyP.BrownP.ChengalurS. N., & NelsonR. C. (1990) Analysis of male and female Olympic swimmers in the 100-meter events. International Journal of Sport Biomechanics, 6, 187–197.
20.
KeskinenK. L., & KomiP. V. (1993) Stroking characteristics of front crawl swimming during exercise. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 9, 219–226.
21.
KuipersH.VerstappenF. T.KeizeH. A.GuertenP., & van KranenburgG. (1985) Variability of aerobic performance in the laboratory and its physiologic correlates. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 6, 197–201.
22.
LaffiteL. P.Vilas-BoasJ. P.DemarleA.SilvaJ.FernandesR., & BillatV. L. (2004) Changes in physiological and stroke parameters during a maximal 400-m free swimming test in elite swimmers. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 29(Suppl), S17–S31.
23.
RenouxJ-C. (2001) Evaluating the time limit at maximum aerobic speed in elite swimmers: training implications. Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 109, 424–429.
24.
TerminB., & PendergastD. R. (2000) Training using the stroke frequency-velocity relationship to combine biomechanical and metabolic paradigms. Journal of Swimming Research, 14, 9–17.
25.
ThompsonK. G.AtkinsonG.MacLarenD. P. M., & LeesA. (2004) Reliability of metabolic and stroke-cycle responses during sub-maximal breaststroke swimming. Journal of Human Movement Studies, 46, 35–54.
26.
ToussaintH., & BeckC. (1992) Biomechanics of competitive front crawl swimming. Sports Medicine, 13, 8–24.
27.
ToussaintH. M.MeulemansA.de GrootG.HollanderA. P.SchreursA., & VervoornK. (1987) Respiratory valve for oxygen uptake measurements during swimming. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 56, 363–366.
28.
Vilas-BoasJ. P., & SantosP. (1994) Comparison of swimming economy in three breaststroke techniques. In MiyashitaM.MutohY., & RichardsonA. B. (Eds.), Medicine and science in aquatic sports, Medicine and Sport Science 39. Basel: Karger. Pp. 48–54.
29.
WakayoshiK.D'AcquistoL., & TroupJ. (1996) Relationship between metabolic parameters and stroking technique characteristics in front crawl. In TroupJ. P.HollanderA. P.StrasseD.TrappeS. W.CappaertJ. M., & TrappeT. A. (Eds.), Biomechanics and medicine in swimming VII. London: E & F Spon. Pp. 285–293.
