Metabolic rate and gross efficiency at high work rates in world class and national level sprint skiers

The present study investigated metabolic rate (MR) and gross efficiency (GE) at moderate and high work rates, and the relationships to gross kinematics and physical characteristics in elite cross-country skiers. Eight world class (WC) and eight national level (NL) male sprint cross-country skiers performed three 5-min stages using the skating G3 technique, whilst roller skiing on a treadmill. GE was calculated by dividing work rate by MR. Work rate was calculated as the sum of power against gravity and frictional rolling forces. MR was calculated using gas exchange and blood lactate values. Gross kinematics, i.e. cycle length (CL) and cycle rate (CR) were measured by video analysis. Furthermore, the skiers were tested for time to exhaustion (TTE), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), and maximal speed (Vmax) on the treadmill, and maximal strength in the laboratory. Individual performance level in sprint skating was determined by FIS points. WC skiers did not differ in aerobic MR, but showed lower anaerobic MR and higher GE than NL skiers at a given speed (all P < 0.05). Moreover, WC skiers skated with longer CL and had higher Vmax and TTE (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study shows that WC skiers are more efficient than NL skiers, and it is proposed that this might be due to a better technique and to technique-specific power.

[1]  P R Cavanagh,et al.  The efficiency of human movement--a statement of the problem. , 1985, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[2]  P. Clifford,et al.  Effect of rolling resistance on poling forces and metabolic demands of roller skiing. , 1998, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[3]  R W Kenefick,et al.  Physiological determinants of cross-country ski racing performance. , 2001, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[4]  H-C Holmberg,et al.  Lung function, arterial saturation and oxygen uptake in elite cross country skiers: influence of exercise mode , 2006, Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports.

[5]  A. Tremblay,et al.  Energy expenditure measurement in male cross-country skiers: comparison of two field methods. , 1994, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[6]  Alain Belli,et al.  External loading does not change energy cost and mechanics of rollerski skating , 1998, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[7]  P. Clifford,et al.  Poling forces during roller skiing: effects of technique and speed. , 1998, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[8]  U. Wisløff,et al.  Maximal strength training improves work economy in trained female cross-country skiers. , 1999, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[9]  B. Saltin,et al.  Maximal oxygen uptake in athletes. , 1967, Journal of applied physiology.

[10]  P. Komi.  Strength and Power in Sport , 1993 .

[11]  F. Ingjer,et al.  Maximal oxygen uptake as a predictor of performance ability in women and men elite cross‐country skiers , 1991 .

[12]  Thomas Stöggl,et al.  Biomechanical analysis of double poling in elite cross-country skiers. , 2005, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[13]  K. Rundell,et al.  Effect of kinematic variables on performance in women during a cross-country ski race. , 1996, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[14]  R. Withers,et al.  Relative body fat and anthropometric prediction of body density of male athletes , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[15]  Beatrix Vereijken,et al.  Effects of body position on slide boarding performance by cross-country skiers. , 2006, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[16]  P. Clifford,et al.  Physiological responses to specific maximal exercise tests for cross-country skiing. , 1993, Canadian journal of applied physiology = Revue canadienne de physiologie appliquee.

[17]  W. O. Fenn.  The relation between the work performed and the energy liberated in muscular contraction , 1924, The Journal of physiology.

[18]  P R Cavanagh,et al.  Power equations in endurance sports. , 1990, Journal of biomechanics.

[19]  Thomas Stöggl,et al.  Control of speed during the double poling technique performed by elite cross-country skiers. , 2009, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[20]  M D Hoffman.  Physiological comparisons of cross-country skiing techniques. , 1992, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[21]  Carl Foster,et al.  Experimental evaluation of the power balance model of speed skating. , 2005, Journal of applied physiology.

[22]  S. Perrey,et al.  Relationships Between Aerobic Energy Cost, Performance and Kinematic Parameters in Roller Ski Skating , 2002, International journal of sports medicine.

[23]  E. Müller,et al.  Analysis of a simulated sprint competition in classical cross country skiing , 2006, Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports.

[24]  Martin D. Hoffman,et al.  Influence of Body Mass on Energy Cost of Roller Skiing , 1990 .

[25]  Per Tveit,et al.  Effects of 20-s and 180-s double poling interval training in cross-country skiers , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[26]  P. Clifford,et al.  Cycle Rate Variations in Roller Ski Skating: Effects on Oxygen Uptake and Poling Forces , 1998, International journal of sports medicine.

[27]  J. Medbø,et al.  Examination of four different instruments for measuring blood lactate concentration , 2000, Scandinavian journal of clinical and laboratory investigation.

[28]  M. Boulay,et al.  Propulsive and gliding phases in four cross-country skiing techniques. , 1992, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[29]  A. Jeukendrup,et al.  The reliability of cycling efficiency. , 2001, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[30]  R. Candau,et al.  Energy cost of different skating techniques in cross-country skiing , 2003, Journal of sports sciences.

[31]  G. Ferretti,et al.  The energetics of anaerobic muscle metabolism: a reappraisal of older and recent concepts. , 1999, Respiration physiology.

[32]  P. Clifford,et al.  Physiological responses to different roller skiing techniques. , 1990, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[33]  E. Müller,et al.  Kinematic determinants and physiological response of cross-country skiing at maximal speed. , 2009, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[34]  E. Coyle,et al.  Load and Velocity of Contraction Influence Gross and Delta Mechanical Efficiency , 1992, International journal of sports medicine.

[35]  R J Shephard,et al.  Performance and efficiency of intercollegiate cross-country skiers. , 1978, Medicine and science in sports.

[36]  Richard H. Jones.  Analysis of repeated measures , 1992 .

[37]  K. Häkkinen,et al.  CONCURRENT ENDURANCE AND EXPLOSIVE TYPE STRENGTH TRAINING INCREASES ACTIVATION AND FAST FORCE PRODUCTION OF LEG EXTENSOR MUSCLES IN ENDURANCE ATHLETES , 2007, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[38]  David B Pyne,et al.  Reliability and variability of running economy in elite distance runners. , 2004, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[39]  P. Clifford,et al.  Delta efficiency of uphill roller skiing with the double pole and diagonal stride techniques. , 1995, Canadian journal of applied physiology = Revue canadienne de physiologie appliquee.

[40]  P. Clifford,et al.  Physiological comparison of uphill roller skiing: diagonal stride versus double pole. , 1994, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[41]  F. Péronnet,et al.  Table of nonprotein respiratory quotient: an update. , 1991, Canadian journal of sport sciences = Journal canadien des sciences du sport.

[42]  Per Tveit,et al.  Cross‐Country Skiing , 2004, Sports biomechanics.

[43]  Gertjan Ettema,et al.  Efficiency in cycling: a review , 2009, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[44]  Jan Helgerud,et al.  Maximal strength-training effects on force-velocity and force-power relationships explain increases in aerobic performance in humans , 2002, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[45]  M. Boulay,et al.  Kinematics of cross-country ski racing. , 1996, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.