Time limit at lowest speed of maximal oxygen consumption
(TLim-v O2max) was characterized in the 4 swimming strokes,
and related with O2max and anaerobic threshold (AnT). 23
elite swimmers performed an incremental protocol for v
O2max assessment. 48 hours later, Tlim-v O2max was
assessed. O2 was directly measured BxB (K4 b2, Cosmed,
Italy) and AnT was assessed individually (YSI 1500L Sport,
USA). Tlim-v O2max values were 238.8±39.0, 246.1±51.9,
277.6±85.6 and 331.4±82.7 s in crawl, backstroke, butterfly,
and breaststroke (no differences observed). No correlations
were found between Tlim-v O2max and O2max, and AnT.
However, inverse relationships were observed between Tlim-v
O2max and v O2max (r=-0.63, p<0.01) and vAnT (r=-0.52,
p=0.01), pointing out that the higher the velocities commonly
related to aerobic proficiency, the lower the TLim- v O2max.
