Anaerobic threshold and critical speed in young swimmers

Abstract

We compared the calculated speed corresponding to the Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (SOBLA) with the critical speed (CS) in young swimmers. Twenty swimmers (mean age, 12,4 years) swam 50, 100 and 200 meter crawl in maximal velocity in different days. Critical speed was calculated by the equation [CS= r(sy/sx)] and SOBLA by the equation [SOBLA = mV200m (m/min) x 0,9 + 1,96]. The results showed that SOBLA velocity was significantly higher than CS (55,02 m/min and 50,73 m/min, respectively, p<0,01). A strong correlation was observed between SOBLA and CS (ρ= 0, 97; p<0,01). The SOBLA correlated also with 50, 100 and 200 meter performance (ρ= -0,86; -0,87; -1,0, respectively, p<0,01), and so did CS (ρ= -0,75; -0,78; -0,97 respectively, p<0,01). It was concluded that, despite the difference between calculated SOBLA and CS, they were strongly associated in young swimmers.