Effects of 20-s and 180-s double poling interval training in cross-country skiers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of upper body 20-s or 180-s interval training, using a double poling ergometer, on upper body power output and selected physiological and biomechanical parameters in cross-country skiers. Twenty (12 male, 8 female) well-trained cross-country skiers took part. Two intervention groups, a 20-s interval training group (IT20; n=6) and a 180-s interval training group (IT180; n=7), underwent training three times a week for 6 weeks on a double poling ergometer. A third group served as a control (CON; n=7) and followed the same training program as the IT20 and IT180 groups without the double poling ergometer interval training. The IT20 and IT180 groups significantly (P<0.05) increased both peak and mean power in a 30-s test and mean power in a 6-min test after double poling training. There was a significant improvement in work efficiency in both IT20 and IT180 (P<0.05) and, in IT180, a significant reduction (P<0.05) in blood lactate concentration at given sub-maximal workloads. VO(2peak) increased significantly during double poling in IT180 ( P<0.05) only. VO(2max) did not change significantly in either group. There were no significant changes in any of the test variables in CON. In conclusion, this study shows that 6 weeks of 20-s or 180-s double poling interval training, three times a week, significantly increases power output in both 30-s and 6-min tests, as well as in selected physiological and biomechanical parameters in well-trained cross-country skiers.

Upper body power as a determinant of classical cross-country ski performance

“…Both UBP 10 and UBP 60 correlated highly with UBP PEAK (r = 0.97 and 0.98, respectively, for absolute measures, and r = 0.93 and 0.95, respectively, for relative measures) for the entire group of 15 subjects. This supports earlier suggestions that a short sprint-type test of UBP may be a predictor of longer, more sustainable UBP (Heil et al 2004;Nilsson et al 2004;Stoggl et al 2006Stoggl et al , 2007a. For example, maximal strength training studies have suggested that an increased rate of force production during double poling may result in improved economy and an increase in time to exhaustion while double poling on an ergometer (HoV et al , 1999Osteras et al 2002).…”

“…A modiWed Concept 2 rowing ergometer (Concept 2 Model D, Morrisville, VT, USA), similar to that described by Nilsson et al (2004), was used for all UBP testing in this study. In place of the sliding seat on a typical Concept 2 ergometer, a resistance-loaded trolley was connected to the chain that turned the air-braked Xywheel.…”

Effect of Aerobic High-Intensity Interval Training on VO2max and Anaerobic Power in Cross-Country Skiers

“…Vesterinen et al [7] found that high-anaerobic capacity was linked to good performance in the first heats of sprint competition. In a study on anaerobic power in well-trained cross-country skiers, Nillson et al [19] showed that 6 week of upper-body interval training, 3 times a week, significantly increases maximum anaerobic power and minimum anaerobic power. Our results suggest that the aerobic high-intensity interval training with roller-ski promote increases in anaerobic capacity in cross-country skiers.…”

Roller-Ski Aerobic High-Intensity Interval Training Improves the VO2max and Anaerobic Power in Cross-Country Skiers

“…Vesterinen et al [2009] [23], found that high-anaerobic capacity was linked to good performance in the first heats of sprint competition. In a study on anaerobic power in well-trained cross-country skiers, Nillson et al [2004] [24], showed that 6 week of upper-body interval training, 3 times a week, significantly increases maximum anaerobic power and minimum anaerobic power. Our results suggest that the aerobic high-intensity interval training with rollerski promote increases in anaerobic capacity in cross-country skiers.…”