The purposes of this study were to determine critical velocity (Vcri) in swim, pull and kick tests, and also to examine whether Vcri correspond to the exercise intensity at maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) for each stroke. Fourteen male trained college swimmers volunteered for this study. A regression analysis of swimming distance on time calculated for each swimmer showed linear relationships (r2=0.998, p<0.010) for all strokes. In MLSS test, all subjects could maintain the Vcri for 20 min in the respective strokes. In addition, no significant differences were found in BL measured among swim, pull and kick. These data suggest that Vcri can be determined by the relationship between distance and time, not only in swimming but also in pull and kick, and Vcri obtained by each stroke would correspond approximately to the exercise intensity at MLSS.
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