The energy cost of locomotion (C) is defined as the amount of metabolic energy spent to transport our body mass over one unit of distance and it is the major physiological determinant of best performances in swimming. C is easily measured at aerobic speeds (v) by dividing the V O2 at steady state by the average v. At maximal v, where the energy obtained by the anaerobic sources cannot be neglected, C can be still assessed by dividing the total metabolic energy (E) produced by the subject by the covered distance (d). E can be calculated provided we know: I) the V O2max of the subject and; II) the peak blood lactate concentration occurring in the recovery phase following maximal voluntary speed tests. Once C as a function of v is known, it is also possible to quantify the relative contributions of: I) the increase of individual maximal metabolic power and: II) the decrease of C in determining the improvements of performances brought about by training.
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