Front crawl swimming velocity is related to the swimming technique, i.e. it is modified by the swimmer depending on the swimming distance. The technique mastery also determines the athlete`s somatic indices and physiological abilities. Purpose. The purpose of the study was to examine factors affecting front crawl swimming results at distances of 400 m, 100 m and 25 m in elite young swimmers. Basic procedures. The athletes were divided into two age groups (n = 15): G1 (16.8 ± 0.77 years) and G2 (14.7 ± 0.50 years). Five laboratory tests were carried out: one for anaerobic power - vertical jump test (CMJ), two one-minute-long anaerobic endurance tests with arms (TWAR) and legs (TWLG), and two incremental tests to assess the anaerobic threshold for arms (WL LT AR ) and legs (WL LT LG). Swimming tests were performed at distances of 400, 100 and 25 m to measure the stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL) and arm coordination index (IdC). Main findings. Swimming velocity in the 400 m race revealed the strongest correlation with SR, further indices obtained from the regression analysis were SL400 and WL LT AR. At a distance of 100 m swimming velocity was determined by power indices such as the CMJ test, SR100 and IdC. The velocity at 25 m was dependent on the greatest number of indices, i.e. SR25, CMJ, SL and IdC. Conclusion. Front crawl swimming velocity at different distances depends equally on stroke length ( SL) or a rm movement t rajectory as well as s troke rhythm ( SR and IdC) individually, matching the swimmer`s functional capability.
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