Strength training improves double‐poling performance after prolonged submaximal exercise in cross‐country skiers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of adding strength training with or without vibration to cross-country (XC) skiers' endurance training on double-poling (DP) performance, physiological, and kinematic adaptations. Twenty-one well-trained male XC-skiers combined endurance- and upper-body strength training three times per week, either with (n = 11) or without (n = 10) superimposed vibrations for 8 weeks, whereas eight skiers performed endurance training only (CON). Testing included 1RM in upper-body exercises, work economy, neural activation, oxygen saturation in muscle, and DP kinematics during a prolonged submaximal DP roller ski test which was directly followed by a time to exhaustion (TTE) test. TTE was also performed in rested state, and the difference between the two TTE tests (TTE ) determined the ability to maintain DP performance after prolonged exercise. Vibration induced no additional effect on strength or endurance gains. Therefore, the two strength training groups were pooled (STR, n = 21). 1RM in STR increased more than in CON (P < .05), and there were no differences in changes between STR and CON in any measurements during prolonged submaximal DP. STR improved TTE following prolonged DP (20 ± 16%, P < .001) and revealed a moderate effect size compared to CON (ES = 0.80; P = .07). Furthermore, STR improved TTE more than CON (P = .049). In conclusion, STR superiorly improved 1RM strength, DP performance following prolonged submaximal DP and TTE , indicating a specific effect of improved strength on the ability to maintain performance after long-lasting exercise.

Five weeks of heat training increases haemoglobin mass in elite cyclists

“…While there were no differences between groups in [La − ] fresh , HEAT reduced [La − ] fatigue to a larger extent than CON. The latter observations are in line with previous findings in well-trained endurance athletes, indicating that favourable adaptations at submaximal exercise intensities are more challenging to induce in the fresh state than after prolonged exercise (Øfsteng et al, 2018;Rønnestad et al, 2011;Vikmoen, Rønnestad, Ellefsen, & Raastad, 2017). The lack of an effect of HEAT on GE in the fresh state is in accordance with heat training studies lasting 2-5 weeks performed on trained cyclists (Karlsen et al, 2015b;Mikkelsen et al, 2019).…”

Cardiovascular Adaptations to Four Months Training in Middle-Aged Amateur Long-Distance Skiers

“…In other studies it was noted that skiers should aim to achieve a body composition with a high percentage of lean mass and a low percentage of fat mass. A focus on trunk mass through increased muscle mass appears to be important, especially for amateur and long-distance skiing, where double-poling is the most common technique [20,21]. Another research suggested that large amounts of lean body mass, especially in the arms, seem to be of great importance for cross-country skiing performance [22].…”

Development of strength training on Czech junior national ski team over the last ten years

“…V posledních přibližně třech olympijských cyklech nastaly v běžeckém lyžování dynamické změny v oblasti silového tréninku (např. Alsobrook & Heil, 2009;Børve, 2017;Øfsteng, Sandbakk, Beekvelt, & Rønnestad, 2017;Solli, Tønnessen, & Sandbakk, 2017;Stöggl, Müller, Ainegren, & Holmberg, 2011). V minulosti bylo v rámci přípravy zařazováno méně speciální síly v kombinaci s tréninky zaměřenými na rozvoj aerobních předpokladů.…”