scholarly journals Upper- vs. Lower-Body Exercise Performance in Female and Male Cross-Country Skiers

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Marie Hansen ◽  
Øyvind Sandbakk ◽  
Gertjan Ettema ◽  
Julia Kathrin Baumgart

Purpose: To investigate the interaction between exercise modality (i.e., upper- and lower-body exercise) and sex in physiological responses and power output (PO) across the entire intensity spectrum (i.e., from low to maximal intensity).Methods: Ten male and 10 female cross-country (XC) skiers performed a stepwise incremental test to exhaustion consisting of 5 min stages with increasing workload employing upper-body poling (UP) and running (RUN) on two separate days. Mixed measures ANOVA were performed to investigate the interactions between exercise modalities (i.e., UP and RUN) and sex in physiological responses and PO across the entire exercise intensity spectrum.Results: The difference between UP and RUN (ΔUP−RUN), was not different in the female compared with the male XC skiers for peak oxygen uptake (18 ± 6 vs. 18 ± 6 mL·kg−1·min−1, p = 0.843) and peak PO (84 ± 18 vs. 91 ± 22 W, p = 0.207). At most given blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion values, ΔUP−RUN was larger in the male compared with the female skiers for oxygen uptake and PO, but these differences disappeared when the responses were expressed as % of the modality-specific peak.Conclusion: Modality-differences (i.e., ΔUP−RUN) in peak physiological responses and PO did not differ between the female and male XC skiers. This indicates that increased focus on upper-body strength and endurance training in female skiers in recent years may have closed the gap between upper- and lower-body endurance capacity compared with male XC skiers. In addition, no sex-related considerations need to be made when using relative physiological responses for intensity regulation within a specific exercise modality.

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.


Author(s):  
Camilla H. Carlsen ◽  
David McGhie ◽  
Julia K. Baumgart ◽  
Øyvind Sandbakk

Purpose: To compare peak work rate (WRpeak) and associated physiological and biomechanical performance-determining variables between flat and uphill cross-country (XC) sit-skiing. Methods: Fifteen able-bodied male XC skiers completed 2 test sessions, each comprising four 4-minute submaximal stages, followed by an incremental test to exhaustion and a verification test in a sit-ski on a roller-ski treadmill. The test sessions were counterbalanced by the incline, being either 0.5% (FLAT) or 5% (UPHILL). The authors compared WRpeak and peak oxygen uptake, as well as physiological variables, rating of perceived exertion, gross efficiency, and cycle characteristics at identical submaximal work rate, between FLAT and UPHILL. Results: In UPHILL, WRpeak was 35% higher compared to FLAT (P < .001), despite no difference in peak oxygen uptake (P = .9). The higher WRpeak in UPHILL was achieved through more work per cycle, which was enabled by the twice as long poling time, compared to FLAT (P < .001). Submaximal gross efficiency was 0.5 to 2 percentage points lower in FLAT compared to UPHILL (P < .001), with an increasing difference as work rate increased (P < .001). Neither cycle rate nor work per cycle differed between inclines when compared at identical submaximal work rate (P > .16). Conclusions: The longer poling times utilized in uphill XC sit-skiing enable more work per cycle and better gross efficiency, thereby allowing skiers to achieve a higher WRpeak compared to flat XC sit-skiing. However, the similar values of peak oxygen uptake between inclines indicate that XC sit-skiers can tax their cardiorespiratory capacity similarly in both conditions.


1993 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip B. Watts ◽  
Jon Eric Sulentic ◽  
Kip M. Drobish ◽  
Timothy P. Gibbons ◽  
Victoria S. Newbury ◽  
...  

The present study attempted to quantify differences in peak physiological responses to pole-striding (PS), double poling on roller skis (DP), and diagonal striding on roller skis (DS) during maximal exercise. Six expert cross-country ski racers (3 M, 3 F) with a mean age of 20.2 ± 1.3 yrs served as subjects. Testing was conducted on a motorized ski treadmill with a tracked belt surface. Expired air was analyzed continuously via an automated open-circuit system and averaged each 20 s. Heart rate was monitored via telemetry and arterialized blood was collected within 1 min of test termination and analyzed immediately for lactate. Peak values for heart rate and blood lactate did not differ among techniques. Peak oxygen uptake was higher for PS and DS versus DP whereas no difference was found between PS and DS. The VO2 peak for DP was 77 and 81% of VO2 peak for PS and DS, respectively. It was concluded that despite similar peak heart rate and blood lactate values, DP elicits a lower VO2 peak than DS or PS and that PS responses appear to closely reflect those of DS. Key words: exercise testing, maximum oxygen uptake, roller skiing, specificity of exercise, x-c skiing


2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 650-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Simpson ◽  
Scott M. Graham ◽  
Geraint D. Florida-James ◽  
Christopher Connaboy ◽  
Richard Clement ◽  
...  

Identifying field measures to estimate backpack load-carriage work intensity in elite soldiers is of interest to the military. This study developed rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate models to define metabolic workload for a backpack load-carriage task valid for a population of elite soldiers using serial data. Male soldiers (n = 18) from the British Parachute or Special Air Service Regiment completed an incremental treadmill walking and (or) running protocol while carrying a 20-kg backpack. Heart rate, RPE, and oxygen uptake were recorded at each incremental stage of the protocol. Linear mixed models were used to model the RPE and heart rate data in the metric of measured peak oxygen uptake. Workload was accurately estimated using RPE alone (SE = 6.03), percentage of estimated maximum heart rate (%E-MHR) (SE = 6.9), and percentage of measured maximum heart rate (%M-MHR) (SE = 4.9). Combining RPE and %E-MHR resulted in a field measure with an accuracy (SE = 4.9) equivalent to the %M-MHR model. We conclude that RPE, %E-MHR, and %M-MHR provide accurate field-based proxy measures of metabolic workload in elite British soldiers performing a backpack load-carriage task. The model is accurate for the metabolic range measured by these serial data for the backpack load-carriage task.


1997 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Brotherhood ◽  
GM Budd ◽  
AL Hendrie ◽  
SE Jeffery ◽  
FA Beasley ◽  
...  

In three-stage graded work tests we compared men's responses to laboratory step tests with their responses to building fireline with a rakehoe (McLeod tool) in dry eucalypt forest. The subjects were experienced firefighters and the scientific observers (novices at raking fireline) who carried out the investigation. At the average energy expenditure of raking fireline in bushfire suppression (655 W, oxygen uptake 1.9 1 min-1) the firefighters' heart rate (HR), pulmonary ventilation ((V)E), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were higher in raking than in stepping by 18 beats min-1, 13 1 min-1 and 0.5 units RPE respectively. At higher work rates the average difference in the response to raking and stepping decreased for HR (the opposite response to that found in laboratory studies of arm work), increased for (V) E, and did not change for RPE. Contrary to the usual finding for arm work, the firefighters' average maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was the same for raking and stepping, although the observers' raking (VO2max) was 10 % (P<0.01) less than their stepping (VO2max). These findings imply that firefighters rake mainly with their arms and upper body at normal work rates, but recruit additional trunk and leg muscles at higher work rates to achieve a 'whole-body' (VO2max) — which is greater than could be achieved with the arm work of normal raking and would thus lead to underestimates of strain and fatigue. Seventeen (50%) of the firefighters, but only one (8%) of the observers, had greater (VO2max) for raking than for stepping, suggesting that regular practice with hand tools had enhanced the firefighters' raking performance through local muscle training and improved technique.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 964-970
Author(s):  
David Barranco-Gil ◽  
Lidia B. Alejo ◽  
Pedro L. Valenzuela ◽  
Jaime Gil-Cabrera ◽  
Almudena Montalvo-Pérez ◽  
...  

Purpose: To analyze the effects of different warm-up protocols on endurance-cycling performance from an integrative perspective (by assessing perceptual, neuromuscular, physiological, and metabolic variables). Methods: Following a randomized crossover design, 15 male cyclists (35 [9] y; peak oxygen uptake [VO2peak] 66.4 [6.8] mL·kg−1·min−1) performed a 20-minute cycling time trial (TT) preceded by no warm-up, a standard warm-up (10 min at 60% of VO2peak), or a warm-up that was intended to induce potentiation postactivation (PAP warm-up; 5 min at 60% of VO2peak followed by three 10-s all-out sprints). Study outcomes were jumping ability and heart-rate variability (both assessed at baseline and before the TT), TT performance (mean power output), and perceptual (rating of perceived exertion) and physiological (oxygen uptake, muscle oxygenation, heart-rate variability, blood lactate, and thigh skin temperature) responses during and after the TT. Results: Both standard and PAP warm-up (9.7% [4.7%] and 12.9% [6.5%], respectively, P < .001), but not no warm-up (−0.9% [4.8%], P = .074), increased jumping ability and decreased heart-rate variability (−7.9% [14.2%], P = .027; −20.3% [24.7%], P = .006; and −1.7% [10.5%], P = .366). Participants started the TT (minutes 0–3) at a higher power output and oxygen uptake after PAP warm-up compared with the other 2 protocols (P < .05), but no between-conditions differences were found overall for the remainder of outcomes (P > .05). Conclusions: Compared with no warm-up, warming up enhanced jumping performance and sympathetic modulation before the TT, and the inclusion of brief sprints resulted in a higher initial power output during the TT. However, no warm-up benefits were found for overall TT performance or for perceptual or physiological responses during the TT.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3797
Author(s):  
Aline V. Caris ◽  
Ronaldo V. Thomatieli-Santos

The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) indicates the feeling of fatigue. However, hypoxia worsens the condition and can worsen RPE. We evaluated whether carbohydrate and glutamine supplementation alters RPE and physiological markers in running at 70% peak oxygen uptake until exhaustion in a simulated altitude of 4500 m. Nine volunteers underwent three running tests at 70% peak oxygen uptake until exhaustion: (1) hypoxia and placebo, (2) hypoxia and 8% maltodextrin, and (3) hypoxia after six days of glutamine supplementation (20 g/day) and 8% maltodextrin. The exercise and supplementation were randomized and double-blinded. Lactate, heart rate, haemoglobin O2 saturation (SpO2%), and RPE (6–20 scale) were analyzed at the 15th and 30th min. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. SpO2% decreased at the 15th and 30th minutes compared to resting in placebo, carbohydrate, and glutamine supplementation. RPE increased at the 30th minute compared to the 15th minute in placebo and carbohydrate supplementation; however, there was no difference in the glutamine supplementation condition. Heart rate and lactate increased after the 15th and 30th minutes compared to resting, similar to the three conditions studied. We conclude that previous supplementation with glutamine and carbohydrate during intense exercise in hypoxia similar to 4500 m can attenuate the increase in RPE by the increase in glycemia and can be a useful strategy for people who exercise in these conditions.


Author(s):  
Natalia Danek ◽  
Marcin Smolarek ◽  
Kamil Michalik ◽  
Marek Zatoń

Background: Knowledge of acute responses to different sprint interval exercise (SIE) helps to implement new training programs. The aim of this study was to compare the acute physiological, metabolic and perceptual responses to two different SIE cycling protocols with different recovery durations. Methods: Twelve healthy, active male participants took part in this study and completed four testing sessions in the laboratory separated by a minimum of 72h. Two SIE protocols were applied in randomized order: SIE6×10”/4’—six “all-out” repeated 10-s bouts, interspersed with 4-min recovery; and SIESERIES—two series of three “all-out” repeated 10-s bouts, separated by 30-s recovery and 18-min recovery between series. Protocols were matched for the total work time (1 min) and recovery (20 min). Results: In SIESERIES, peak oxygen uptake and peak heart rate were significantly higher (p < 0.05), without differences in peak blood lactate concentration and mean rating of perceived exertion compared to SIE6×10”/4’. There were no differences in peak power output, peak oxygen uptake and peak heart rate between both series in SIESERIES. Conclusions: Two series composed of three 10-s “all-out” bouts in SIESERIES protocol evoked higher cardiorespiratory responses, which can provide higher stimulus to improve aerobic fitness in regular training.


2001 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaëlle Marais ◽  
Murielle Garcin ◽  
Ludovic Dupont ◽  
Jacques Vanvelcenaher ◽  
Patrick Pelayo

The aim of this study was two-fold. First, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was compared between two different upper and lower body exercises. Subjects ( n =12) performed with spontaneously chosen crank or pedal rates: (i) incremental maximum power tests (Test 1), with an initial work rate of 50% of maximal power followed by increases of 10% at each 120-sec. work stage and (ii) tests (Test 2) with exercise bouts set at 20, 40, 60, and 80% of maximal power separated by passive recovery periods. Second, the effects of variations in spontaneously chosen crank rate on RPE was analysed using the second test performed only with upper body. Subjects performed Test 2 three times with crank rates spontaneously chosen by the subjects, set at plus or minus 20% of spontaneously chosen crank rate. During both Tests 1 and 2 for upper or lower body, RPE increased linearly ( p<.01) with power output. No significant difference was noticed between upper and lower body tests; however, RPE was significantly different ( p<.05) between Test 1 results for upper and lower body at 70, 80, 90, and 100% of maximal power. The greater RPE at high power output could be linked to the important effect of fatigue during upper body exercise. Among the three crank-rate conditions, no significant difference in RPE was noticed. The choice of crank rate does not seem to influence the perception of exertion in upper body cycling exercise.


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