Stroke phases responses around maximal lactate steady state in front crawl

The objective of this study was to analyze changes in stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL) and stroke phases (entry and catch, pull, push and recovery) when swimming at (MLSS) and above (102.5% MLSS) the maximal lactate steady state. Twelve endurance swimmers (21 ± 8 year, 1.77 ± 0.10 m and 71.6 ± 7.7 kg) performed in different days the following tests: (1) 200- and 400-m all-out tests, to determine critical speed (CS), and; (2) 2-4 30-min sub-maximal constant-speed tests, to determine the MLSS and 102.5% MLSS. There was significant difference among MLSS (1.22 ± 0.05 m s−1), 102.5% MLSS (1.25 ± 0.04 m s−1) and CS (1.30 ± 0.08 m s−1). SR and SL were maintained between the 10th and 30th minute of the test swum at MLSS and have modified significantly at 102.5% MLSS (SR - 30.9 ± 3.4 and 32.2 ± 3.5 cycles min−1 and SL - 2.47 ± 0.2 and 2.38 ± 0.2 m cycle−1, respectively). All stroke phases were maintained at 10th and 30th minute at MLSS. However, the relative duration of propulsive phase B (pull) increased significantly at 102.5% MLSS (21.7 ± 3.4% and 22.9 ± 3.9%, respectively). Therefore, the metabolic condition may influence the stroke parameters (SR and SL) and stroke strategy to maintain the speed during swim tests lasting 30 min.