The effect of velocity increase on index of arm coordination (IdC), active drag (D) and intracyclic velocity variations (IVV) in front crawl swimming was analysed. 12 national level swimmers performed an intermittent graded pace test on the MAD-system and in the free condition, swimming arms only. Drag was determined using the MAD-system. V, the duration of the entry, pull, push, recovery and IdC were calculated from underwater and aerial side view video recordings. The hip IVV was analysed using a velocity-meter. The increase in V was associated with increases in pull, push and recovery phases, IdC and D, decreases in entry phase and a non significant change of IVV. The change in IdC with V followed those in D with V (D=27.02V2.25, IdC=44.70V²-81.42V+19.02) indicating that swimmers shifted from the catchup to the opposition coordination to overcome the active drag, when swimming at a higher velocity. The adaptation of the motor organisation appeared adequate because it did not lead to greater IVV.
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