Anaerobic Capacity as a Determinant of Performance in Sprint Skiing

Abstract

The contribution from anaerobic energy systems was ∼26% and seemed independent of technique. In a group of elite skiers, the difference in roller ski treadmill sprint performance is more related to differences in anaerobic capacity than maximal aerobic power and O₂ cost.

Physiological Differences Between Sprint- and Distance-Specialized Cross-Country Skiers

“…5,6 In sprint skiing, skiers perform 2-to 4-minute races at maximal effort where the aerobic versus anaerobic energy-supply ratio is close to 70:30. 7 This contribution of energy systems is comparable to other sports of similar durations. 8 In other endurance sports such as running and cycling, both aerobic power and anaerobic characteristics are clearly different between athletes competing in different events such as time trials or specialists such as climbers and sprinters.…”

“…This technique has been shown to be appropriate for the inclines and speeds used in the current study. 7 All tests were performed from September to February, a period that seems most appropriate to detect differences between elite skiers. 2…”

“…The exercise intensity during sprint races can reach 120% to 160% of VO 2peak during uphill segments and therefore requires a significant anaerobic-energy turnover. 5,7 Distance skiing also relies on a high work rate in the uphills, but to a lesser extent (~100-120% of VO 2peak ) than in sprint skiing. 6 Since anaerobic capacity is highly related to the muscle mass involved in the exercise, 13,14 differences in body mass may also occur between different types of athletes.…”

Comparison of Power Output Estimates in Treadmill Roller-Skiing

“…However, it has been shown that anaerobic processes contribute substantially [7,8] during sprint races (3-4 min) and may be highly important for performance on variable terrain [7]. Nevertheless, indirect assessments of the anaerobic energetic component during whole-body exercise is associated with some difficulties [9].…”

“…The anaerobic energetic component during supramaximal roller-skiing can be estimated in several different ways [7,8], either by using the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit method [9] or a method based on gross efficiency [7]. A main problem with all previous methods employed for roller-skiing is that they have excluded the influence of instantaneous changes in inertia on the power output estimates during self-paced, timetrial roller-skiing [7,8]. No study has, to our knowledge, compared different power estimates and their corresponding anaerobic energetic components during supramaximal roller-skiing.…”