Assessment of Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise Capacity and Sport Level of Poland’s Leading Representative in a Short Track in a 4-Year Olympic Cycle

Abstract

The purpose of the work was to characterize the 4-year preparation cycle for the Winter Olympic Games in Pyongyang (2018), the leading Polish speed skater M.W. Longitudinal tests included assessment of aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity determined in laboratory tests, respectively in the graded bicycle ergometer test and in the Wingate test performed with the lower extremity. The longitudinal data from exercise tests obtained in the analyzed 4-year period of preparation for the Olympic Games clearly indicate a significant improvement in the skater's exercise capacity. In the examined period of 2015-2018, the athlete obtained an increase in VO2max value by 6.5% to the level of 55.8 ml/kg/min. The nature of the observed changes in selected exercise indicators corresponded to the assumptions and implementation of training plans. The examined athlete was very well prepared for qualifying starts in October-November 2017 and she won three Olympic qualifications at distances 500, 1000 and 1500 m. During the Olympic Games, the Polish representative started the competition with starts at distances 1500 (20th place) and 500 m (28th place). At the leading distance of 1000 m, the competitor started at her level, reaching 12th place thus fulfilling the pre-start assumptions.

The Impact of Four High-Altitude Training Camps on the Aerobic Capacity of a Short Track PyeongChang 2018 Olympian: A Case Study

“…38%) [ 29 ]. However, as the coach of the Polish IO team member emphasizes, anaerobic metabolism is important, especially at 500 m and 1000 m [ 4 , 31 ]. On the other hand, skating the distance of 1500 m does not only involve anaerobic exercise, but, in 50% of cases, the aerobic system (intensity zone IV: between 2–3 min of exercise) falls within the second intensity range according to bioenergy criteria, i.e., 50% to 50% [ 23 , 34 ].…”

“…The athlete’s basic competitive distance was 1000 m. It requires an effort lasting about 80–81 s. From the physiological point of view, it is exercise at the third level on the intensity scale according to bioenergy criteria [ 31 , 32 , 33 ], which is a typically anaerobic lactic acid work. The most important ability of an athlete in such conditions is tolerance to acidification while doing as much work as possible (and developing maximum speed).…”