A comparison of peak blood lactates following maximal upper body and maximal combined upper and lower body simulated ski exercises in elite cross-country skiers.

Abstract

Peak fingertip blood lactate values obtained following maximal intensity simulated double poling ski exercise (PBLa(A)), were compared with peak fingertip blood lactate values obtained following maximal intensity simulated combined arm and leg ski striding exercise (PBLa(A + L)). The combined arm and leg protocols were performed on two different types of treadmills, a walking treadmill and a ski treadmill. Phase one combined arms and legs ski striding protocol (A + L)$\sb1$, involved ski walking on a treadmill with simultaneous arm poling movements achieved through a rope pulley system. Phase two combined arms and legs ski striding protocol (A + L)$\sb2$, whereby skiers using skis and poles performed a diagonal stride on a carpeted treadmill. The arms only double poling exercise protocol(A), was conducted identically in both test phases. Kneeling on a trolley or rollerboard, skiers pulled themselves up a 95 inch inclined track using rope pulleys at a cadence of one pull every 2.5 seconds. Peak blood lactate values represented the highest blood lactate value obtained from the post exercise samples. Differences in phase one and two PBLa(A + L) and MVO$\sb2$ values were related to the degree of sports specificity of the A + L protocol to cross-country skiing. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)