BACKGROUND: Anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) has emerged as a relevant index of high-intensity performance; however, its physiological and energetic determinants in swimmers with and without disabilities remains little-explored. This study aimed to examine the associations between ASR and aerobic and anaerobic energy contributions derived from swimming efforts at maximal sprint speed (MSS) and maximal aerobic speed (MAS), and to compare physiological and metabolic responses between swimmers with (GWD) and without disabilities (GWTD); METHODS: Twenty-one competitive swimmers (GWD = 9; GWTD 12) performed maximal efforts to determine MSS (50 m), MAS (200 or 400 m, depending on functional classification) and ASR (MSS - MAS). Physiological (VO2PEAK and [La*]PEAK) and energetic variables (anaerobic alactic, anaerobic lactic, total anaerobic, aerobic and total energy expenditure) were estimated. Group differences were analyzed using generalized linear models and anova-one way. Associations between ASR and energetic variables were assessed using Pearson`s correlation; RESULTS: In GWD, ASR was associated with relative anaerobic contributions (r = 0.71, p < 0.05) and negatively with aerobic contribution. GWTD exhibited higher ASR, MSS, and MAS (d`[CI95%] = 2.37-3.30), along with greater absolute energetic contributions, particularly total anaerobic and total energy expenditure (d = 1.16-1.46). A significant group × effort interaction was observed for swimming speed, with larger between-group differences during MSS. ASR was strongly associated with anaerobic variables during MSS, especially in GWTD (r = 0.74, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ASR shows association with for anaerobic energy contribution in both groups, supporting its use as a practical indicator of anaerobic performance in swimming
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