Increasing Oxygen Uptake in Well-Trained Cross-Country Skiers During Work Intervals With a Fast Start

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bent R. Rønnestad ◽  
Tue Rømer ◽  
Joar Hansen

Purpose: Accumulated time at a high percentage of peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) is important for improving performance in endurance athletes. The present study compared the acute effect of a roller-ski skating session containing work intervals with a fast start followed by decreasing speed (DEC) with a traditional session where the work intervals had a constant speed (similar to the mean speed of DEC; TRAD) on physiological responses, rating of perceived exertion, and leg press peak power. Methods: A total of 11 well-trained cross-country skiers performed DEC and TRAD in a randomized order (5 × 5-min work intervals, 3-min relief). Each 5-minute work interval in the DEC protocol started with 1.5 minutes at 100% of maximal aerobic speed followed by 3.5 minutes at 85% of maximal aerobic speed, whereas the TRAD protocol had a constant speed at 90% of maximal aerobic speed. Results: DEC induced a higher VO2 than TRAD, measured as both peak and average of all work intervals during the session (98.2% [2.1%] vs 95.4% [3.1%] VO2peak, respectively, and 87.6% [1.9%] vs 86.1% [3.2%] VO2peak, respectively) with a lower mean rating of perceived exertion after DEC than TRAD (16.1 [1.0] vs 16.5 [0.7], respectively) (all P < .05). There were no differences between sessions for mean heart rate, blood lactate concentration, or leg press peak power. Conclusion: DEC induced a higher mean VO2 and a lower rating of perceived exertion than TRAD, despite similar mean speed, indicating that DEC can be a good strategy for interval sessions aiming to accumulate more time at a high percentage of VO2peak.

Author(s):  
Erik P. Andersson ◽  
Irina Hämberg ◽  
Paulo Cesar Do Nascimento Salvador ◽  
Kerry McGawley

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to compare physiological factors and cycle characteristics during cross-country (XC) roller-skiing at matched inclines and speeds using the double-poling (DP) and diagonal-stride (DS) sub-techniques in junior female and male XC skiers. Methods Twenty-three well-trained junior XC skiers (11 women, 12 men; age 18.2 ± 1.2 yr.) completed two treadmill roller-skiing tests in a randomized order using either DP or DS. The exercise protocols were identical and included a 5 min warm-up, 4 × 5 min submaximal stages, and an incremental test to exhaustion, all performed at a 5° incline. Results No significant three-way interactions were observed between sex, submaximal exercise intensity, and sub-technique. For the pooled sample, higher values were observed for DP versus DS during submaximal exercise for the mean oxygen uptake kinetics response time (33%), energy cost (18%), heart rate (HR) (9%), blood lactate concentration (5.1 versus 2.1 mmol·L−1), rating of perceived exertion (12%), and cycle rate (25%), while cycle length was lower (19%) (all P < 0.001). During the time-to-exhaustion (TTE) test, peak oxygen uptake ($$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2peak), peak HR, and peak oxygen pulse were 8%, 2%, and 6% lower, respectively, for DP than DS, with a 29% shorter TTE during DP (pooled data, all P < 0.001). Conclusion In well-trained junior XC skiers, DP was found to exert a greater physiological load than DS during uphill XC roller-skiing at submaximal intensities. During the TTE test, both female and male athletes were able to ski for longer and reached markedly higher $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2peak values when using DS compared to DP.


Sports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Gavriil G. Arsoniadis ◽  
Ioannis S. Nikitakis ◽  
Petros G. Botonis ◽  
Ioannis Malliaros ◽  
Argyris G. Toubekis

Background: Physiological and biomechanical parameters obtained during testing need validation in a training setting. The purpose of this study was to compare parameters calculated by a 5 × 200-m test with those measured during an intermittent swimming training set performed at constant speed corresponding to blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol∙L−1 (V4). Methods: Twelve competitive swimmers performed a 5 × 200-m progressively increasing speed front crawl test. Blood lactate concentration (BL) was measured after each 200 m and V4 was calculated by interpolation. Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), stroke rate (SR) and stroke length (SL) were determined during each 200 m. Subsequently, BL, HR, SR and SL corresponding to V4 were calculated. A week later, swimmers performed a 5 × 400-m training set at constant speed corresponding to V4 and BL-5×400, HR-5×400, RPE-5×400, SR-5×400, SL-5×400 were measured. Results: BL-5×400 and RPE-5×400 were similar (p > 0.05), while HR-5×400 and SR-5×400 were increased and SL-5×400 was decreased compared to values calculated by the 5 × 200-m test (p < 0.05). Conclusion: An intermittent progressively increasing speed swimming test provides physiological information with large interindividual variability. It seems that swimmers adjust their biomechanical parameters to maintain constant speed in an aerobic endurance training set of 5 × 400-m at intensity corresponding to 4 mmol∙L−1.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassane Zouhal ◽  
Abderraouf Ben Abderrahman ◽  
Jacques Prioux ◽  
Beat Knechtle ◽  
Lotfi Bouguerra ◽  
...  

Purpose:To determine the effect of drafting on running time, physiological response, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during 3000-m track running.Methods:Ten elite middle- and long-distance runners performed 3 track-running sessions. The 1st session determined maximal oxygen uptake and maximal aerobic speed using a lightweight ambulatory respiratory gasexchange system (K4B2). The 2nd and the 3rd tests consisted of nondrafting 3000-m running (3000-mND) and 3000-m running with drafting for the 1st 2000 m (3000-mD) performed on the track in a randomized counterbalanced order.Results:Performance during the 3000-mND (553.59 ± 22.15 s) was significantly slower (P < .05) than during the 3000-mD (544.74 ± 18.72 s). Cardiorespiratory responses were not significantly different between the trials. However, blood lactate concentration was significantly higher (P < .05) after the 3000-mND (16.4 ± 2.3 mmol/L) than after the 3000-mD (13.2 ± 5.6 mmol/L). Athletes perceived the 3000-mND as more strenuous than the 3000-mD (P < .05) (RPE = 16.1 ± 0.8 vs 13.1 ± 1.3). Results demonstrate that drafting has a significant effect on performance in highly trained runners.Conclusion:This effect could not be explained by a reduced energy expenditure or cardiorespiratory effort as a result of drafting. This raises the possibility that drafting may aid running performance by both physiological and nonphysiological (ie, psychological) effects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-148
Author(s):  
Tom Toolis ◽  
Kerry McGawley

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of wearing upper- and lower-body compression garments on cross-country skiing performance in elite winter biathletes. Methods: A total of 7 senior biathletes (4 men and 3 women) from the Swedish national team performed 2 exercise trials in a randomized and counterbalanced order, wearing either commercially available upper- and lower-body compression garments (COMP) or a standard winter-biathlon racing suit (CON). In each trial, the athletes roller-skied on a customized treadmill, completing a time trial simulating the skiing duration of a biathlon sprint race, followed by a time-to-exhaustion test designed to elicit exhaustion within ∼60 to 90 seconds. Heart rate, blood lactate concentration, rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and thermal comfort were monitored throughout each trial, while muscle soreness was measured up to 48 hours after each trial. Results: Pressure exerted by the clothing was significantly higher at all anatomical sites for COMP compared with CON (P ≤ .002). Wearing COMP led to small positive effects on time-trial (d = 0.31) and time-to-exhaustion test (d = 0.31) performances compared with CON, but these differences were not statistically significant (P > .05). No significant differences were found for any physiological (heart rate or blood lactate concentration) or subjective (rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, thermal comfort, or muscle soreness) responses between COMP and CON (P > .05). Conclusion: Wearing COMP during maximal cross-country skiing may have small but worthwhile beneficial effects on performance for some individuals. Due to individual variation, athletes are advised to test COMP prior to competition.


Author(s):  
Bent R. Rønnestad ◽  
Timo Andre Bakken ◽  
Vetle Thyli ◽  
Joar Hansen ◽  
Stian Ellefsen ◽  
...  

Purpose: Accumulated time at a high percentage of peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) is important for improving performance in endurance athletes. The present study compared the acute physiological and perceived effects of performing high-intensity intervals with roller ski double poling containing work intervals with (1) fast start followed by decreasing speed (DEC), (2) systematic variation in exercise intensity (VAR), and (3) constant speed (CON). Methods: Ten well-trained cross-country skiers (double-poling VO2peak 69.6 [3.5] mL·min−1·kg−1) performed speed- and duration-matched DEC, VAR, and CON on 3 separate days in a randomized order (5 × 5-min work intervals and 3-min recovery). Results: DEC and VAR led to longer time ≥90% VO2peak (P = .016 and P = .033, respectively) and higher mean %VO2peak (P = .036, and P = .009) compared with CON, with no differences between DEC and VAR (P = .930 and P = .759, respectively). VAR, DEC, and CON led to similar time ≥90% of peak heart rate (HRpeak), mean HR, mean breathing frequency, mean ventilation, and mean blood lactate concentration ([La−]). Furthermore, no differences between sessions were observed for perceptual responses, such as mean rate of perceived exertion, session rate of perceived exertion or pain score (all Ps > .147). Conclusions: In well-trained XC skiers, DEC and VAR led to longer time ≥90% of VO2peak compared with CON, without excessive perceptual effort, indicating that these intervals can be a good alternative for accumulating more time at a high percentage of VO2peak and at the same time mimicking the pronounced variation in exercise intensities experienced during XC-skiing competitions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-105
Author(s):  
Per-Øyvind Torvik ◽  
Johan Persson ◽  
Roland van den Tillaar

Abstract The aims of this study were to compare performance with physiological and perceptual responses on steep uphill inclines between double poling and diagonal stride and to investigate the effects of pole length when double poling. Eight male, competitive cross-country skiers (22 ± 1.1 yrs, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in the diagonal stride: 69.4 ± 5.5 ml·kg-1·min-1) performed four identical tests, one in the diagonal stride, and three in double poling with different pole lengths (self-selected, self-selected -5 cm and self-selected +10 cm). Each test was conducted at a fixed speed (10 km/h), with inclination rising by 1%, starting with 7%, each until voluntary exhaustion. VO2peak, the heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and the rating of perceived exertion were determined for each pole length in each test. The peak heart rate (p < 0.001) and VO2peak (p = 0.004) were significantly higher in the diagonal stride test compared with double poling with all pole lengths. Time to exhaustion (TTE) differed significantly between all four conditions (all p < 0.001), with the following order from the shortest to the longest TTE: short poles, normal poles and long poles in double poling, and the diagonal stride. Consequently, a significantly higher slope inclination was reached (p < 0.001) using the diagonal stride (17%) than for double poling with long poles (14%), normal (13%) and short (13%) poles. The current study showed better performance and higher VO2peak in the diagonal stride compared to double poling in steep uphill terrain, demonstrating the superiority of the diagonal stride for uphill skiing. However, in double poling, skiers achieved improved performance due to greater skiing efficiency when using long poles, compared to normal and short poles.


Author(s):  
Per-Øyvind Torvik ◽  
Roland van den Tillaar ◽  
Guro Bostad ◽  
Øyvind Sandbakk

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pole length on performance and technique selection during a simulated skating cross-country (XC) skiing competition on snow in female XC skiers. Methods Nine female XC skiers and biathletes (VO2max 63.6 ± 6.2 mL/min/kg, age 22.9 ± 3.5 years, body height 1.69 ± 0.1 m and body mass 60.8 ± 4.6 kg) completed two 5-km skating time-trail with maximal effort. The athletes had a minimum 4.5 h of rest between the two races, which were performed in a random order: one with self-selected poles (89.0% ± 0.6% of body height) and one with 7.5 cm increased pole length (94.0% ± 0.5% of body height). Speed in set terrain sections was determined and the selection of sub-technique was self-reported immediately after each race based on a detailed review of the entire track. Results Skiers performed on average 7.1 ± 7.1 s (P = 0.029) faster with the long poles, with this difference occurring during the first 200 m and in the uphill parts of the track, in which ~ 5% more G3 and ~ 5% fewer G2 sub-techniques were chosen (both P < 0.05). The rating of perceived exertion was 1 ± 0.9 point lower (P = 0.04) and skiing technique was perceived to be ~ 1.2 ± 1.5 points better with long poles (P = 0.038), while the physiological responses (i.e., peak and average heart rate, and blood lactate concentration) did not differ between trials. Conclusion In conclusion, poles 7.5 cm longer than self-selected ones improved performance in skating, by enhancing speed in the initial phase (first 200 m) and in the uphill section of the track. In addition, the longer poles induced more use of the G3 skating sub-technique.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramires Tibana ◽  
Nuno de Sousa ◽  
Jonato Prestes ◽  
Fabrício Voltarelli

The aim of this study was to analyze blood lactate concentration (LAC), heart rate (HR), and rating perceived exertion (RPE) during and after shorter and longer duration CrossFit® sessions. Nine men (27.7 ± 3.2 years; 11.3 ± 4.6% body fat percentage and training experience: 41.1 ± 19.6 months) randomly performed two CrossFit® sessions (shorter: ~4 min and longer: 17 min) with a 7-day interval between them. The response of LAC and HR were measured pre, during, immediately after, and 10, 20, and 30 min after the sessions. RPE was measured pre and immediately after sessions. Lactate levels were higher during the recovery of the shorter session as compared with the longer session (shorter: 15.9 ± 2.2 mmol/L/min, longer: 12.6 ± 2.6 mmol/L/min; p = 0.019). There were no significant differences between protocols on HR during (shorter: 176 ± 6 bpm or 91 ± 4% HRmax, longer: 174 ± 3 bpm or 90 ± 3% HRmax, p = 0.387). The LAC was significantly higher throughout the recovery period for both training sessions as compared to pre-exercise. The RPE was increased immediately after both sessions as compared to pre-exercise, while there was no significant difference between them (shorter: 8.7 ± 0.9, longer: 9.6 ± 0.5; p = 0.360). These results demonstrated that both shorter and longer sessions induced elevated cardiovascular responses which met the recommendations for gains in cardiovascular fitness. In addition, both training sessions had a high metabolic and perceptual response, which may not be suitable if performed on consecutive days.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Ouergui ◽  
Emerson Franchini ◽  
Hamdi Messaoudi ◽  
Hamdi Chtourou ◽  
Anissa Bouassida ◽  
...  

This study investigated the effect of area sizes (4 × 4, 6 × 6, and 8 × 8 m) and effort-pause ratios (free combat vs. 1:2) variation on the physiological and perceptive responses during taekwondo combats (Study 1). In a second study, the effects on physical performance of 8 weeks of small combat-based training added to regular taekwondo training were investigated (Study 2). In random order, 32 male taekwondo athletes performed six (i.e., two effort-to-pause ratios × three area sizes conditions) different 2-min taekwondo combats (Study 1). Thereafter (Study 2), they were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (4 × 4, 6 × 6, and 8 × 8 m) and an active control group (CG). Regarding Study 1, blood lactate concentration [La] before and after each combat, mean heart rate (HRmean) during each combat, and rating of perceived exertion (CR-10) immediately after each combat were assessed. Regarding Study 2, progressive specific taekwondo (PSTT) to estimate maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), taekwondo-specific agility, and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests were administered before and after 8 weeks of training. Study 1 results showed that 4 × 4 m elicited lower HRmean values compared with 6 × 6 m (d = −0.42 [small], p = 0.030) and free combat induced higher values compared with the 1:2 ratio (d = 1.71 [large], p &lt; 0.001). For [La]post, 4 × 4 m area size induced higher values than 6 × 6 m (d = 0.99 [moderate], p &lt; 0.001) and 8 × 8 m (d = 0.89 [moderate], p &lt; 0.001) and free combat induced higher values than 1:2 ratio (d = 0.69 [moderate], p &lt; 0.001). Higher CR-10 scores were registered after free combat compared with 1:2 ratio (d = 0.44 [small], p = 0.007). For Study 2, VO2max increased after training [F(1, 56) =30.532, p &lt; 0.001; post-hoc: d = 1.27 [large], p &lt; 0.001] with higher values for 4 × 4 m compared with CG (d = 1.15 [moderate], p = 0.009). Agility performance improved after training [F(1, 56) = 4.419, p = 0.04; post-hoc: d = −0.46 [small], p = 0.04] and 4 × 4 m induced lower values in comparison with 6 × 6 m (d = −1.56 [large], p = 0.001) and CG (d = −0.77 [moderate], p = 0.049). No training type influenced CMJ performance. Smaller area size elicited contrasting results in terms of metabolic demand compared with larger sizes (i.e., lower HRmean but higher [La] and CR-10), whereas free combat induced variables' consistently higher values compared with imposed 1:2 ratio (Study 1). Taekwondo training is effective to improve VO2max and agility (Study 2), but small combat training modality should be investigated further.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1324-1330
Author(s):  
Enzo Hollville ◽  
Vincent Le Croller ◽  
Yoshihiro Hirasawa ◽  
Rémi Husson ◽  
Giuseppe Rabita ◽  
...  

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of multiple sets of repeated-sprint-ability (RSA)-induced fatigue on subsequent passing-skill performance in field hockey players. Methods: A total of 10 elite U-21 (under-21) male field hockey players performed 5 sets of a combination of RSA test (6 × 20 m, 20 s of passive recovery) followed by a 1-min passing-skill test (passing reception with subsequent passes at a predesigned target). Data on fastest sprint time and cumulated sprint time for RSA test; total number of balls played, targeted, and passing accuracy (number of balls targeted/total number of balls played) for passing-skill test; heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLa), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)  were collected throughout the protocol. Results: RSA performance was significantly impaired from set 1 to set 5 (fastest sprint time +4.1%, P < .001; cumulated sprint time +2.3%, P < .01). For a similar average number of balls played (12.8 [1.4]) during each set, number of balls targeted (−1.7%, P < .05) and passing accuracy (−3.1%, P < .05) decreased up to the third set before reimproving over the last 2 sets. Psychophysiological responses (HR, BLa, and RPE) progressively increased (P < .05) toward protocol cessation. The decrease in passing accuracy with increasing RSA cumulated sprint time was fitted to a 2nd-order polynomial function (r2 = .94, P < .05). Conclusion: Multiple-set RSA-induced fatigue was accompanied by passing-skill adjustment variation, suggesting a complex interaction between physiological and psychological/cognitive function to preserve passing skill under fatigued condition.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document