The purpose of this research was to study the effect of aerobic and anaerobic training in critical swimming speed during the second training cycle after five months of training in swimmers aged 10 to 11 years. The method of critical speed is used as an alternative method because it is simple, inexpensive and non-intrusive. Many distance combinations are used to determine critical speed of swimming. The research involved 16 active pre-pubertal swimmers. Seven of them (n == 7) were boys, age: 10.9 ± 0.9 years, and 9 of them (n == 9) were girls, age: 11.0 ± 0. 7 years. Their basic technique was freestyle swimming and all of them were swimmers of short and middle distance. The mathematical model calculates the value of critical speed distances, 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m. Subjects underwent a series of tests carried out on three different periods. The results showed that there is no statistical significant difference between the two genders and the three different measurements {Sig .651 and Sig .259 respectively). In individual level, boys and girls had a statistical significant improvement in critical speed over the different measurements (Sig .000 and Sig .000 respectively). From the findings of this research it appears that critical speed obtained with mathematical determination, can be used as an alternative to determine the appropriate speed for endurance training in children and young swimmers. The results of the research can lead to the following conclusion: The critical speed varies from period to period studying individually boys and girls.
© Copyright 2014 XIIth International Symposium for Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming. Published by Australian Institute of Sport. All rights reserved.