PHYSIOLOGICAL-RESPONSES TO SPECIFIC MAXIMAL EXERCISE TESTS FOR CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

The present study attempted to quantify differences in peak physiologi cal responses to pole-striding (PS), double poling on roller skis (DP) , and diagonal striding on roller skis (DS) during maximal exercise. S ix 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 s ki treadmill with a tracked belt surface. Expired air was analyzed con tinuously via an automated open-circuit system and averaged each 20 s. Heart rate was monitored via telemetry and arterialized blood was col lected within 1 min of test termination and analyzed immediately for l actate. Peak values far heart rate and blood lactate did not differ am ong techniques. Peak oxygen uptake was higher for. PS and DS versus DP whereas no difference was found between PS and DS. The VO(2)peak for DP was 77 and 81% of VO(2)peak for PS and DS, respectively. It was con cluded that despite similar peak heart rate and blood lactate values, DP elicits a lower VO(2)peak than DS or PS and that PS responses appea r to closely reflect those of DS.