LACTATE RESPONSE TO UPHILL ROLLER SKIING - DIAGONAL STRIDE VERSUS DOUBLE POLE TECHNIQUES

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the lactate response s to roller skiing with double pole and diagonal stride techniques in eight collegiate or national level cross-country ski racers. Four-minu te exercise stages were performed on a ski treadmill at 67, 94, 121, 1 48, and 174 m . min(-1) on a 1.7% grade and at 67, 94, and 121 m . min (-1) on a 7.1% grade. Whole blood lactate concentration, heart rate, o xygen consumption (VO2) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were de termined at each exercise stage. Blood lactate concentrations were not significantly different between double poling and diagonal striding a t the 1.7% grade. However, the blood lactate concentrations were highe r during double poling at the 7.1% grade for all speeds. Blood lactate concentrations were also higher for double poling at the 7.1% grade w hen compared with diagonal striding at 70% of technique specific peak VO2, a heart rate of 145 and a RPE of 12. We conclude that blood lacta te concentrations do not offer physiological justification for choosin g one technique over the other when skiing on low grades, but low bloo d lactate concentrations may provide a physiological advantage for dia gonal striding on steep grades.