Time limit at VO2max velocity in elite crawl swimmers

The purpose of this study is to assess, with elite crawl swimmers, the time limit at the minimum velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen consumption (TLi m-v(V) over dot O-2max), and to characterize its main determinants. Eight subjects performed an incremental test for v(V) over dot O-2max assessment and, forty-eight hours later, an all-out swim at v(V) over dot O-2max until exhaustion. (V) over dot O-2 was directly measured using a telemetric portable gas analyzer and a visual pacer was used to help the swimmers keeping the predetermined velocities. Blood lactate concentrations, heart rate and stroke parameter values were also measured. TLim-v(V) over dot O-2max and v(V) over dot O-2max, averaged, respectively, 243.2+/-30.5 s and 1.45+/-0.08 m.s(-1). TLim v(V) over dot O-2max correlated positively with (V) over dot O-2 Slow component (r = 0.76, p < 0.05). Negative correlations were found between TLim-v(V) over dot O-2max and body surface area (r = -0.80) and delta lactate (r = -0.69) (p < 0.05), and with v(V) over dot O-2max (r = -0.63), v corresponding to anaerobic threshold (r = -0.78) and the energy cost corresponding to v(V) over dot O-2max (r = -0.62) (p < 0.10). No correlations were observed between TLim-v(V) over dot O-2max and stroking parameters. This study confirmed the tendency to TLim-v(V) over dot O-2max be lower in the swimmers who presented higher v(V) over dot O-2max and vAnT, possibly explained by their higher surface area, energy cost and anaerobic rate. Additionally, O2SC seems to be a determinant of TLim-v(V) over dot O-2max.