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Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(12): 940-946
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1283189
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Step Length and Individual Anaerobic Threshold Assessment in Swimming

R. J. Fernandes
1   Faculty of Sport, CIFI2D, University of Porto, Portugal
,
M. Sousa
1   Faculty of Sport, CIFI2D, University of Porto, Portugal
,
L. Machado
1   Faculty of Sport, CIFI2D, University of Porto, Portugal
,
J. P. Vilas-Boas
1   Faculty of Sport, CIFI2D, University of Porto, Portugal
› Author Affiliations
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accepted after revision 09 June 2011

Publication Date:
03 November 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Anaerobic threshold is widely used for diagnosis of swimming aerobic endurance but the precise incremental protocols step duration for its assessment is controversial. A physiological and biomechanical comparison between intermittent incremental protocols with different step lengths and a maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) test was conducted. 17 swimmers performed 7×200, 300 and 400 m (30 s and 24 h rest between steps and protocols) in front crawl until exhaustion and an MLSS test. The blood lactate concentration values ([La-]) at individual anaerobic threshold were 2.1±0.1, 2.2±0.2 and 1.8±0.1 mmol.l − 1 in the 200, 300 and 400 m protocols (with significant differences between 300 and 400 m tests), and 2.9±1.2 mmol.l − 1 at MLSS (higher than the incremental protocols); all these values are much lower than the traditional 4 mmol.l − 1 value. The velocities at individual anaerobic threshold obtained in incremental protocols were similar (and highly related) to the MLSS, being considerably lower than the velocity at 4 mmol.l − 1. Stroke rate increased and stroke length decreased throughout the different incremental protocols. It was concluded that it is valid to use intermittent incremental protocols of 200 and 300 m lengths to assess the swimming velocity corresponding to individual anaerobic threshold, the progressive protocols tend to underestimate the [La-] at anaerobic threshold assessed by the MLSS test, and swimmers increase velocity through stroke rate increases.

Key words

swimming - testing - aerobic evaluation
 

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