The Effect of Polarized Training on the Athletic Performance of Male and Female Cross-Country Skiers during the General Preparation Period

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the effect of 12 weeks of polarized training on body composition, cardiorespiratory function, and upper-body power of male and female cross-country skiers during the general preparation period. A total of 16 national cross-country skiers (8 male and 8 female; 8 national cross-country skiers and 8 national biathlon athletes) participated. Polarization training was conducted for 12 weeks from May to July in 2019 during the general preparation period for cross-country skiers. The low-weight, high-repetition method was used for strength training. The effect of the polarized training on body composition, maximum oxygen intake (VO2max), respiratory exchange rate, all-out time, and ski ergometer exercise time was assessed. There was no change in weight, BMI, and muscle mass in male and female cross-country skiers following the 12 weeks of polarized training (p > 0.05). Male body fat percentage (pre 18.1%, post 12.7%) and female body fat percentage (pre 29.1%, post 21.4%) showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05). After training, VO2max increased by 7.72% in male athletes (pre 71.05 mL/kg/min, post 77.0 mL/kg/min) and 6.32% in female athletes (pre 60.26 mL/kg/min, post 64.33 mL/kg/min). Treadmill exercise time increased by 5.39% for male athletes (pre 1038 s, post 1064 s) and 2.23% for female athletes (pre 855 s, post 874 s). However, there was no significant difference between male and female athletes (p > 0.05). The 50% recovery time from the maximum heart rate to the target heart rate decreased by 64.52% in males (pre 168.8 s, post 102.6 s) and 6.48% in females (pre 135 s, post 129.6 s). Significant differences were found only in male athletes (p < 0.05). The double-pole 500 m exercise duration for the ski ergometer significantly decreased after the training for both sexes (p < 0.05). In this study, the 12 weeks of polarized training improved the body composition and athletic performance of all cross-country skiers. Interestingly, in this study, we confirmed that polarized training had a better effect on cardiorespiratory function in male cross-country skiers than in female cross-country skiers. Conversely, we found that the outcomes of the ski ergometer exercise factors were more effective in female athletes than in male athletes. Therefore, we insist that when applying a polarized training program to athletes, it should be planned in detail by sex, exercise amount, intensity, and type of training.

Aerobic and Anaerobic Fitness according to High-Intensity Interval Training Frequency in Youth Soccer Players in the Last Stage of Rehabilitation

“…In particular, it will be interesting to compare the effects of HIIT training for athletes involved in winter sports, such as skiing, with athletes participating in summer sports. Although there are positive results of HIIT training on skiers [ 45 , 46 ], whether running or bicycle-based HIIT translates into good performance in skiing with a sliding pattern needs further examination. Moreover, it remains unknown how long the HIIT effect lasts after 4 weeks of training.…”

Effects of 12-week combined training versus high intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and fat metabolism in obese male adults

“…Analysing data from previous studies, we observed that weekly aerobic exercise included a combination of high exercise volumes at moderate intensity (i.e., 70–94% of weekly exercise) and low exercise volumes at high intensity (i.e., 6–28% of weekly exercise). 31 , 32 , 33 In addition, studies on athletes have suggested that a combination of moderate- (i.e., ∼70–80% of total training volume) 35 and high-intensity training (i.e., ∼20–30% of total training volume) 35 provides greater improvements in body composition 36 and endurance performance-related variables (e.g., V’O 2 max and lactate thresholds) 37 , 38 than HIIT or MICT alone. To date, to our knowledge, no studies on individuals with obesity have used a priori percentages of MICT and HIIT during weekly training to optimize cardiorespiratory function and the fat oxidation rate during walking or running.…”

The Effect of Music Tempo on Fatigue Perception at Different Exercise Intensities

“…HR can be used to objectively evaluate exercise fatigue and is the easiest indicator to use to assess the intensity of current exercise and exercise fatigue [ 29 ]. Exercise fatigue leads to a decrease in the HR regulation function, HR increases with fatigue and HR is dynamic during exercise.…”