Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(4): 307-313
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865664
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Laboratory Running Test vs. Field Roller Skiing Test in Cross-Country Skiers: A Longitudinal Study

S. Vergès1 , P. Flore1 , D. Laplaud1 , M. Guinot2 , A. Favre-Juvin2
  • 1Laboratoire HP2, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
  • 2UF de Biologie et de Médecine du Sport, Hôpital Sud, Grenoble, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: March 22, 2005

Publication Date:
11 July 2005 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Laboratory treadmill running tests are commonly used to assess the effect of training programs and to prescribe training intensity for cross-country skiers. The present study compared the physiological parameters during a treadmill running (R) test and a field roller skiing (RS) test both at the beginning (Beg) and at the end (End) of a 6-month specific training program in seven competitive cross-country skiers. Oxygen uptake (V·O2) and blood lactate concentration ([La]) were assessed for exercise intensity corresponding to 70 %, 80 %, 90 % of maximal heart rate (HRmax) and to HRmax. V·O2 was lower for the RS test compared to the R test at any HR levels at Beg only (p < 0.05). Maximal V·O2 increased from Beg to End for the RS test only (+ 23.7 ± 10.4; p < 0.05). [La] was lower for the R test compared to the RS test during both testing periods at 90 % HRmax (p < 0.05), and no significant modification in [La] from Beg to End at any HR levels was observed (p > 0.05). The [La]/V·O2 curve shifted toward the right from Beg to End to a greater extent for the RS test compared to the R test. The present study emphasised the importance of exercise specificity in order to assess the effect of specific training program in competitive cross-country skiers.

Key words

Blood lactate - heart rate - oxygen uptake - training - exercise testing - cross-country skiing

References

  • 1 Ahlborg G, Hensen-Urstad M. Metabolism in exercising arm vs. leg muscle.  Clin Physiol. 1991;  11 459-468
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Bassett Jr D R, Howley E T. Maximal oxygen uptake: “classical” versus “contemporary” viewpoints.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997;  29 591-603
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Bergh U, Kanstrup I L, Elblom B. Maximal oxygen uptake during exercise with various combinations of arm and leg work.  J Appl Physiol. 1976;  41 191-196
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Billat V, Renoux J C, Pinoteau J, Petit B, Koralsztein J P. Reproducibility of running time to exhaustion at V·O2max in subelite runners.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994;  26 254-257
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Billat V, Renoux J C, Pinoteau J, Petit B, Koralsztein J P. Times to exhaustion at 90, 100 and 105 % of velocity at V·O2max (maximal aerobic speed) and critical speed in elite long-distance runners.  Arch Physiol Biochem. 1995;  103 129-135
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Billat V, Demarle A, Slawinski J, Paiva M, Koralsztein J P. Physical and training characteristics of top-class marathon runners.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 2089-2097
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Bilodeau B, Boulay M R, Roy B. Propulsive and gliding phases in four cross-country skiing techniques.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;  24 917-925
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Blondel N, Berthoin S, Billat V, Lensel G. Relationship between run times to exhaustion at 90, 100, 120, and 140 % of vV·O2max and velocity expressed relatively to critical velocity and maximal velocity.  Int J Sports Med. 2001;  22 27-33
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Coyle E F, Coggan A R, Hopper M K, Walters T J. Determinants of endurance in well-trained cyclists.  J Appl Physiol. 1988;  64 2622-2630
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Doyon K H, Perrey S, Abe D, Hughson R L. Field testing of V·O2peak in cross-country skiers with portable breath-by-breath system.  Can J Appl Physiol. 2001;  26 1-11
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Ekblom B, Astrand P O, Saltin B, Stenberg J, Wallstrom B. Effect of training on circulatory response to exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 1968;  24 518-528
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Farrell P A, Wilmore J H, Coyle E F, Billing J E, Costill D L. Plasma lactate accumulation and distance running performance.  Med Sci Sports. 1979;  11 338-344
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Foster C, Fitzgerald D J, Spatz P. Stability of the blood lactate-heart rate relationship in competitive athletes.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;  31 578-582
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Foxdal P, Sjodin A, Sjodin B. Comparison of blood lactate concentrations obtained during incremental and constant intensity exercise.  Int J Sports Med. 1996;  17 360-365
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Foxdal P, Sjodin B, Sjodin A, Ostman B. The validity and accuracy of blood lactate measurements for prediction of maximal endurance running capacity. Dependency of analyzed blood media in combination with different designs of the exercise test.  Int J Sports Med. 1994;  15 89-95
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Gergley T J, McArdle W D, DeJesus P, Toner M M, Jacobowitz S, Spina R J. Specificity of arm training on aerobic power during swimming and running.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1984;  16 349-354
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Gilman M B, Wells C L. The use of heart rates to monitor exercise intensity in relation to metabolic variables.  Int J Sports Med. 1993;  14 339-344
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Hopkins W G. Quantification of training in competitive sports. Methods and applications.  Sports Med. 1991;  12 161-183
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Ingjer F. Development of maximal oxygen uptake in young elite male cross-country skiers: a longitudinal study.  J Sports Sci. 1992;  10 49-63
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Kindermann W, Simon G, Keul J. The significance of the aerobic-anaerobic transition for the determination of work load intensities during endurance training.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1979;  42 25-34
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Kuipers H, Rietjens G, Verstappen F, Schoenmakers H, Hofman G. Effects of stage duration in incremental running tests on physiological variables.  Int J Sports Med. 2003;  24 486-491
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Lucia A, Hoyos J, Perez M, Chicharro J L. Heart rate and performance parameters in elite cyclists: a longitudinal study.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1777-1782
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Millerhagen J O, Kelly J M, Murphy R J. A study of combined arm and leg exercise with application to nordic skiing.  Can J Appl Sport Sci. 1983;  8 92-97
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Millet G Y, Perrey S, Candau R, Rouillon J D. Relationships between aerobic energy cost, performance and kinematic parameters in roller ski skating.  Int J Sports Med. 2002;  23 191-195
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Mygind E. Fibre characteristics and enzyme levels of arm and leg muscles in elite cross-country skiers.  Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1995;  5 76-80
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Mygind E, Larsson B, Klausen T. Evaluation of a specific test in cross-country skiing.  J Sports Sci. 1991;  9 249-257
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Ng A V, Demment R B, Bassett D R, Bussan M J, Clark R R, Kuta J M, Schauer J E. Characteristics and performance of male citizen cross-country ski racers.  Int J Sports Med. 1988;  9 205-209
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Roecker K, Striegel H, Dickhuth H H. Heart-rate recommendations: transfer between running and cycling exercise?.  Int J Sports Med. 2003;  24 173-178
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Rundell K W. Differences between treadmill running and treadmill roller skiing.  J Strength Condit Res. 1996;  10 167-172
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Rundell K W. Treadmill roller ski test predicts biathlon roller ski race results of elite U. S. biathlon women.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 1677-1685
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Rundell K W, Bacharach D W. Physiological characteristics and performance of top US biathletes.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 1302-1310
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Rusko H K. Development of aerobic power in relation to age and training in cross-country skiers.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;  24 1040-1047
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Skinner J S, Jaskolski A, Jaskolska A, Krasnoff J, Gagnon J, Leon A S, Rao D C, Wilmore J H, Bouchard C. Age, sex, race, initial fitness, and response to training: the HERITAGE Family Study.  J Appl Physiol. 2001;  90 1770-1776
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Smith G A. Biomechanical analysis of cross-country skiing techniques.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;  24 1015-1022
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Toner M M, Glickman E L, McArdle W D. Cardiovascular adjustments to exercise distributed between the upper and lower body.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;  22 773-778
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Turner D L, Hoppeler H, Claassen H, Vock P, Kayser B, Schena F, Ferretti G. Effects of endurance training on oxidative capacity and structural composition of human arm and leg muscles.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1997;  161 459-464
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Verges S, Flore P, Favre-Juvin A. Blood lactate concentration/heart rate relationship: laboratory running test vs. field roller skiing test.  Int J Sports Med. 2003;  24 446-451
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Wasserman K. The anaerobic threshold measurement to evaluate exercise performance.  Am Rev Respir Dis. 1984;  129 35-40
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Welde B, Evertsen F, Von Heimburg E, Ingulf Medbo J. Energy cost of free technique and classical cross-country skiing at racing speeds.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 818-825
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Yoshida T, Suda Y, Takeuchi N. Endurance training regimen based upon arterial blood lactate: effects on anaerobic threshold.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1982;  49 223-230
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Yoshiga C C, Higuchi M. Heart rate is lower during ergometer rowing than during treadmill running.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;  87 97-100
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar

S. Verges

Sportphysiologie Institut für Bewegungs- und Sportwissenschaften, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich

Winterthurer Straße 190

8057 Zürich

Switzerland

Phone: + 4116355083

Fax: + 41 16 35 68 14

Email: sverges@physiol.unizh.ch

      >