Assessment of Maximal Aerobic Capacity in Ski Mountaineering: A Laboratory-Based Study

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the agreement in maximum oxygen consumption (V˙O2max) between a running protocol and a ski mountaineering (SKIMO) protocol. Eighteen (eleven males, seven females) ski mountaineers (age: 25 ± 3 years) participated in the study. V˙O2max, maximum heart rate (HRmax), and maximum blood lactate concentration (BLAmax) were determined in an incremental uphill running test and an incremental SKIMO-equipment-specific test. V˙O2max did not differ between the SKIMO and uphill running protocols (p = 0.927; mean difference –0.07 ± 3.3 mL/min/kg), nor did HRmax (p = 0.587, mean difference –0.7 ± 5.1 bpm). A significant correlation was found between V˙O2max SKIMO and V˙O2max running (p ≤ 0.001; ICC = 0.862 (95% CI: 0.670−0.946)). The coefficient of variation was 4.4% (95% CI: 3.3−6.5). BLAmax was significantly lower for SKIMO compared to running (12.0 ± 14.1%; p = 0.002). This study demonstrates that V˙O2max determined with a traditional uphill running protocol demonstrates good agreement with an equipment-specific SKIMO protocol.

Athlete’s Heart in Elite Biathlon, Nordic Cross—Country and Ski-Mountaineering Athletes: Cardiac Adaptions Determined Using Echocardiographic Data

“…In the present descriptive preliminary report, the morphological and functional cardiac remodeling due to high-performance competition and training volume in elite winter sports athletes was investigated for the first time. The investigated winter sports in this study represent the most endurant competitive sports as they involve the whole body, are often performed at altitude and are associated with high and intense energy demands [1][2][3]7,8]. They combine ET and ST training components, and include mainly dynamic (isotonic) but also to a lesser degree static (isometric) elements [41].…”

“…Ski mountaineering (Ski-Mo) is one of the most endurant sports imaginable, as it involves the whole body, mostly performed at altitude involving uphill locomotion, representing a high-energy-demanding elite winter sport [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Biathlon (Bia) and Nordic Cross Country (NCC) are different to Ski-Mo, yet not less complex and metabolically demanding in their physiological demands, which have been of interest in previous studies [7,8].…”

Physiological Effects of Training in Elite German Winter Sport Athletes: Sport Specific Remodeling Determined Using Echocardiographic Data and CPET Performance Parameters

“…In the present descriptive preliminary report, morphological and functional cardiac remodeling as well as sport specific CPET performance parameters in German world elite winter sport athletes were investigated and compared with each other for the first time. The investigated winter sports in this study are known for their high energy demands, involve the whole body, and are often performed at altitude [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 9 , 10 ]. Environmental conditions as well as exceptionally high aerobic turnover, an excellent anaerobic power, and different race speed qualities have to be taken into consideration as variable parameters influencing individual athletes’ performance [ 8 , 15 , 22 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ].…”

“…The three described participating winter sport disciplines, ski-mountaineering (Ski-Mo), Nordic-cross country (NCC), and biathlon (Bia), are known to be very challenging for the individual athlete because they are performed in altitude environmental conditions and involve the whole body and uphill locomotion [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”

“…The individual sport performance of these athletes, especially the physiological demands and functional and structural cardiac remodeling have been reported in previous studies focusing on energy cost, training methods, training frequency, and pronounced structural and functional remodeling of the left heart by transthoracic echocardiographic assessment as well as cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) performance data analyses [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”