This study characterizes high-altitude training camps and their effect on the aerobic capacity of a Polish national team member (M.W.), who was a participant in the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games (body weight: 59.6 kg, body height: 161.0 cm, fat mass: 10.9 kg and 18.3% of fat tissue, fat-free mass: 48.7 kg, muscle mass: 46.3 kg, and BMI = 23.0 kg/m2). The tests were conducted in the periods from April 2018 to September 2018 and April 2019 to September 2019 (period of general and special preparation). The study evaluated aerobic and anaerobic capacity determined by laboratory tests, a cardiopulmonary graded exercise test to exhaustion performed on a cycle ergometer (CPET), and the Wingate anaerobic test. Based on the research, training in hypobaric conditions translated into significant improvements in the skater’s exercise capacity recorded after participating in the Olympic Winter Games in Korea (February 2018). In the analyzed period (2018–2019), there was a significant increase in key parameters of aerobic fitness such as anaerobic threshold power output (AT-PO) [W]—223; power output POmax [W]—299 and AT-PO [W/kg]—3.50; (POmax) [W/kg]—4.69; and AT-VO2 [mL/kg/min]—51.3; VO2max [mL/kg/min]—61.0. The athlete showed high-exercise-induced adaptations and improvements in the aerobic metabolic potential after two seasons, in which four training camps were held in altitude conditions.

Background The purpose of this study was to identify the biomedical signals of short-track athletes by evaluating the effects of monthly strength training on changes in their neuromuscular profile, strength, and power parameters of the lower limb muscles. Muscle asymmetry, which can cause a risk of injury, was also evaluated. Methods and results This study involved female athletes, age 18.8 ± 2.7 years, with a height of 162 ± 2.4 cm, and weight of 55.9 ± 3.9 kg. Before and after the monthly preparatory period prior to the season, strength measurements were assessed through the Swift SpeedMat platform, and reactivity of the lower limb muscles was assessed with tensiomyography (TMG). The athletes were also tested before and after the recovery training period. In the test after strength training, all average countermovement jump (CMJ) results improved. Flight time showed an increase with a moderate to large effect, using both legs (5.21%). Among the TMG parameters, time contraction (Tc) changed globally with a decrease (-5.20%). Changes in the results of the test after recovery training were most often not significant. Conclusion A monthly period of strength training changes the neuromuscular profile of short-track female athletes, with no significant differences between the right and left lower limbs.

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 aim of this study was to investigate the size of the change in fatigability of gluteus 9 maximus muscles during difficult endurance training in dynamic conditions. The research covered 10 involved eight female athletes of the Polish National Team in short track, which had been prepared 11 to the Olympic Games in PyeongChang. The sEMG system was used to measure fatigue of right 12 and left gluteus maximus muscles, in the modified Biering-Sorensen test. The test was conducted 13 five times during the training: before training, after warmup, and after each of 3 series of the 14 endurance training. Comparing the mean frequency of the surface electromyography power 15 spectrum of the first and the last seconds of the test, statistically significant reduction (p<0.05) of the 16 average frequency value of the right muscle from 55.61±7.08 Hz to 48.64±4.48 Hz and left muscle 17 from 58.78±4.98 Hz to 53.18±4.62 Hz was reported. In the conducted Biering-Sorensen test, the value 18 of the muscle signal frequency measured by surface electromyography decreases, which may prove 19 the muscle fatigue. Reductions in the frequency measured in the first and the last second of the test, 20 was higher of the right lower limb. The size of the d Cohen effect in fatigue drops along with 21 subsequent five tests during the training.22 Keywords: Muscle fatigue; isometric contraction; gluteus maximus; fatigue effect; short track; 23 fatigue threshold 24 25 1. Introduction 26In speed skating, we distinguish two disciplines differing from each other in the track length 27 and skating technique. In short track, the distance of one lap is 111 m, which is less than one third of 28 the skating track on a long track (400m). Such a short distance forces the competitors to go along an 29 oval track with high speed and small turn radiuses. During a race at a distance of 1000 m the short 30 track competitor, when turning, generates twice as large forces as on a long track [1]. In order to 31 obtain the best possible result in short track, the organism of the athlete should be resistant to fatigue. 32In addition, what also matters are the race tactics, psychological and technical aspects, maximum 33 voluntary contraction force, reaction time and the quality of lower limb muscle coordination [2, 3, 4]. 34The following tests, in three aspects, focused on the issue of local muscle fatigue in short track 35 female athletes. One of aspects applies to the fatigue of gluteus maximus muscles that extend femoral 36 joint and substantially affect the strength of lower limb bounce off the ice pane. The second aspect 37 applies to determining the level of asymmetry between the right and the left examined muscle, while 38 the final one applies to the size of the fatigue effect. 39Currently, winning a competition is affected by many nuances in preparation for start. The 40 muscle fatigue analysis conducted in the research is of great practical importance in the training 41 process, as well as in everyday life. Undertaking physical activity is inseparably associ...

abstract. The aim of conducted research was an attempt to define the dynamics of aerobic and anaerobic endurance changes in the short track female competitors training during a year cycle which is dependent on the energy characteristic of training burden. Nineteen female competitors of OMKŁS Opole club and KU AZS PO Opole, were put through the examination. Eight of them were members of National Team and Olympic Team (Vancouver 2010), moreover, the competitors participated in the World Cup, World Championship, European Championship. The other examined competitors were members of National Team. With the help of terrain and laboratory tests, an official record was made on every lap time, final time of every trial, HR max and HR medium as well as the concentration of lactate in blood in fourth minute after an effort. In the thirtieth minute, after an effort, HR and lactate concentration were registered in order to define the course of restitution. Anaerobic and mixed parameters were examined by the Wingate test in 7.5% load formula of body weight. The results of researches proved that a selection of applied training burdens was not conductive to the adaptation of process according to the Mathews, Fox model (1976). In the short track, a training burden should reflect the specific of an effort in this discipline, emphasising an anaerobic energy type in a year cycle of preparations.