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Int J Sports Med 2005; 26(7): 524-530
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-821227
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Critical Swimming Speed Does not Represent the Speed at Maximal Lactate Steady State

J. Dekerle1 , P. Pelayo1 , B. Clipet1 , S. Depretz1 , T. Lefevre1 , M. Sidney1
  • 1Laboratoire D'Etudes de la Motricite Humaine, Faculte des Sciences du Sport, Universite de Lille 2, France
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Publication History

Accepted after revision: May 20, 2004

Publication Date:
27 September 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Critical power and critical swimming speed (CSS) are mathematically defined as intensities that could theoretically be maintained indefinitely without exhaustion. Several investigations have been conducted to attribute a physiological meaning to these variables, but results in swimming remain equivocal. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare CSS with direct determination of the speed at maximal lactate steady state (SMLSS). Eight well-trained swimmers (aged 18.6 ± 1.9 years) performed four tests to exhaustion (95, 100, 105, and 110 % of maximal aerobic speed [MAS]) in order to determine CSS from the distance-time relationship. SMLSS was determined from four sub-maximal 30-min constant intensity tests (ranging from 75 % to 90 % MAS). CSS (92.7 ± 2.6 % MAS) was significantly higher than SMLSS (88.3 ± 2.9 % of MAS) and the bias ± 95 % limits of agreement for comparisons between CSS and SMLSS (0.07 ± 0.13 m · s-1) indicated that the extent of disagreement was too great to use these two variables interchangeably. However, CSS and SMLSS were strongly correlated (r = 0.87; SEE = 0.033 m · s-1; p < 0.01). Results from the present study demonstrate that in swimming, CSS does not represent the maximal speed that can be maintained without a continuous rise of blood lactate concentration and direct determination of SMLSS is necessary if precision is required in experimental studies.

Key words

Aerobic endurance - intensity domains - threshold - swimming performance

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P. Pelayo

Faculté des Sciences du Sport

9 rue de l'Université

59790 Ronchin

France

Phone: + 33320887390

Fax: + 3 33 20 88 73 63

Email: pelayo@hp-sc.univ-lille2.fr