The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of stroke rate (SR) on the reproducibility of swimming velocity (V) and index of coordination (IdC) values in a front crawl swimming sequence. The procedure was twofold. In the first procedure, 30 expert and non expert subjects performed two tests of 4 x 12.5-m. In the first test, they were requested to swim at a spontaneous low, average, fast and maximal speed. V and SR were measured. In the second test, SR was imposed at the values registered previously and V was compared with previous V values. Results showed equality between V values whatever the test step and the higher the SR values, the lower the difference in V values between the two test conditions. The results were similar in experts and non experts. In the second procedure, 9 expert swimmers performed two front crawl tests of 4 x 12.5-m. In each test, they were requested to swim the fastest with a SR set at 20, 30, 40, 50 cycles.min-1. IdC was calculated and compared for the same SR.. Results showed equality between IdC only when SR was higher than 40 cycles.min-1. We concluded of the intensities control and skills stabilisation by the SR for the swimming coachs. We suggested that coordination could be explain by dynamic concepts. Key words : Stroke rate, Velocity, Index of Coordination.
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