The use of critical velocity in swimming: A place for critical stroke rate?

For any swimmer, a hyperbolic relationship links velocity (v) and stroke rate (SR) to time to exhaustion (t). The asymptotes of these relationships are called Critical Velocity (CV) and Critical Stroke Rate (CSR). Both could be maintained, at least in theory, indefinitely. This review presents the origins of these two concepts, their physiological / biomechanical underpinnings to emphasis their usefulness for training. Coaches should appreciate the ease in using the CV model to set training loads, monitor training effects, and predict performance. The CSR concept is very recent and should be further investigated. However, current available knowledge suggests there is merit in using the two parameters for training.

[1]  Erik W Faria,et al.  The Science of Cycling , 2005, Sports medicine.

[2]  H. Monod,et al.  THE WORK CAPACITY OF A SYNERGIC MUSCULAR GROUP , 1965 .

[3]  D. W. Hill,et al.  A physiological description of critical velocity , 1999, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[4]  Gary Brickley,et al.  Application of the critical power concept in swimming , 2006 .

[5]  B S Denadai,et al.  Blood lactate response and critical speed in swimmers aged 10–12 years of different standards , 2000, Journal of sports sciences.

[6]  D. J. Smith,et al.  A Protocol for the Determination of Critical Speed as an Index of Swimming Endurance Performance , 1994 .

[7]  V. Billat,et al.  Very short (15s-15s) interval-training around the critical velocity allows middle-aged runners to maintain VO2 max for 14 minutes. , 2001, International journal of sports medicine.

[8]  David W Hill,et al.  The relationship between power and the time to achieve .VO(2max). , 2002, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[9]  X. Nesi,et al.  Stroking parameters in front crawl swimming and maximal lactate steady state speed. , 2005, International journal of sports medicine.

[10]  Andrew M. Jones,et al.  The Effect of Endurance Training on Parameters of Aerobic Fitness , 2000, Sports medicine.

[11]  Will G Hopkins,et al.  Reliability of time to exhaustion analyzed with critical-power and log-log modeling. , 2005, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[12]  J. Dekerle,et al.  Critical swimming speed does not represent the speed at maximal lactate steady state. , 2005, International journal of sports medicine.

[13]  G. Gaesser,et al.  Effects of Continuous and Interval Training on the Parameters of the Power-Endurance Time Relationship for High-Intensity Exercise , 1988, International journal of sports medicine.

[14]  J. Dekerle,et al.  Validity and Reliability of Critical Speed, Critical Stroke Rate, and Anaerobic Capacity in Relation to Front Crawl Swimming Performances , 2002, International journal of sports medicine.

[15]  T M McLellan,et al.  A comparative evaluation of the individual anaerobic threshold and the critical power. , 1992, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[16]  Luc Léger,et al.  Methods to Determine Aerobic Endurance , 2002, Sports medicine.

[17]  C. Willíams,et al.  Physiological responses during exercise to exhaustion at critical power , 2002, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[18]  Andrew M. Jones,et al.  Maximal lactate steady state, critical power and EMG during cycling , 2002, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[19]  Joseph P. Weir,et al.  Relationship of critical velocity to marathon running performance , 1997, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[20]  H M Toussaint,et al.  Simulated front crawl swimming performance related to critical speed and critical power. , 1998, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[21]  B. Quigley,et al.  The influence of high-intensity exercise training on the Wlim-Tlim relationship. , 1993, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[22]  Paul B. Laursen,et al.  The Scientific Basis for High-Intensity Interval Training , 2002, Sports medicine.

[23]  R. Hugh Morton,et al.  Time in Human Endurance Models , 1999, Sports medicine.

[24]  H Monod,et al.  Work-exhaustion time relationships and the critical power concept. A critical review. , 1997, The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness.

[25]  Toshio Moritani,et al.  Does critical swimming velocity represent exercise intensity at maximal lactate steady state? , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[26]  G. Whyte,et al.  Comparison of Critical Swimming Velocity and Velocity at Lactate Threshold in Elite Triathletes , 2000, International journal of sports medicine.

[27]  M Miyashita,et al.  A simple method for determining critical speed as swimming fatigue threshold in competitive swimming. , 1992, International journal of sports medicine.

[28]  R. Hughson,et al.  A High Velocity Treadmill Running Test to Assess Endurance Running Potential* , 1984, International journal of sports medicine.

[29]  J. Ettema.  Limits of human performance and energy-production , 1966, Internationale Zeitschrift für angewandte Physiologie einschließlich Arbeitsphysiologie.

[30]  M Miyashita,et al.  Adaptations to six months of aerobic swim training. Changes in velocity, stroke rate, stroke length and blood lactate. , 1993, International journal of sports medicine.

[31]  T. Noakes,et al.  Training techniques to improve fatigue resistance and enhance endurance performance. , 1997, Journal of sports sciences.

[32]  David J Smith,et al.  Performance Evaluation of Swimmers , 2002, Sports medicine.

[33]  Toshio Moritani,et al.  Determination and validity of critical velocity as an index of swimming performance in the competitive swimmer , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[34]  J. Dekerle,et al.  Maximal lactate steady state, respiratory compensation threshold and critical power , 2003, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[35]  G J Bell,et al.  A comparison of critical velocity estimates to actual velocities in predicting simulated rowing performance. , 2000, Canadian journal of applied physiology = Revue canadienne de physiologie appliquee.

[36]  B. Quigley,et al.  Endurance training enhances critical power. , 1992, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[37]  A. Toubekis,et al.  Influence of different rest intervals during active or passive recovery on repeated sprint swimming performance , 2005, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[38]  P. E. D. Prampero,et al.  The concept of critical velocity: a brief analysis , 1999, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[39]  T. Housh,et al.  The accuracy of the critical power test for predicting time to exhaustion during cycle ergometry. , 1980, Ergonomics.

[40]  T. Moritani,et al.  Critical power as a measure of physical work capacity and anaerobic threshold. , 1981, Ergonomics.