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Scaling maximal oxygen uptake to predict performance in elite-standard men cross-country skiers
Dalarna University, School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Sport and Health Science.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7178-5357
Dalarna University, School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Sport and Health Science.
Dalarna University, School of Technology and Business Studies, Statistics.
Dalarna University, School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Sport and Health Science.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8360-2100
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2013 (English)In: Journal of Sports Sciences, ISSN 0264-0414, E-ISSN 1466-447X, Vol. 31, no 16, p. 1753-1760Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The purpose of this study was to: 1) establish the optimal body-mass exponent for maximal oxygen uptake (O2max) to indicate performance in elite-standard men cross-country skiers; and 2) evaluate the influence of course inclination on the body-mass exponent. Twelve elite-standard men skiers completed an incremental treadmill roller-skiing test to determine O2max and performance data came from the 2008 Swedish National Championship 15-km classic-technique race. Log-transformation of power-function models was used to predict skiing speeds. The optimal models were found to be: Race speed = 7.86 · O2max · m −0.48 and Section speed = 5.96 · O2max · m −(0.38 + 0.03 · α) · e−0.003 · Δ (where m is body mass, α is the section's inclination and Δ is the altitude difference of the previous section), that explained 68% and 84% of the variance in skiing speed, respectively. A body-mass exponent of 0.48 (95% confidence interval: 0.19 to 0.77) best described O2max as an indicator of performance in elite-standard men skiers. The confidence interval did not support the use of either “1” (simple ratio-standard scaled) or “0” (absolute expression) as body-mass exponents for expressing O2max as an indicator of performance. Moreover, results suggest that course inclination increases the body-mass exponent for O2max.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Routledge, 2013. Vol. 31, no 16, p. 1753-1760
Keywords [en]
scaling, cross-country skiing, course profile, body mass
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:du-12769DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2013.803586ISI: 000326919900002Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-84887993849OAI: oai:DiVA.org:du-12769DiVA, id: diva2:640357
Available from: 2013-08-13 Created: 2013-08-13 Last updated: 2021-11-12Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. The importance of body-mass exponent optimization for evaluation of performance capability in cross-country skiing
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The importance of body-mass exponent optimization for evaluation of performance capability in cross-country skiing
2015 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Introduction Performance in cross-country skiing is influenced by the skier’s ability to continuously produce propelling forces and force magnitude in relation to the net external forces. A surrogate indicator of the “power supply” in cross-country skiing would be a physiological variable that reflects an important performance-related capability, whereas the body mass itself is an indicator of the “power demand” experienced by the skier. To adequately evaluate an elite skier’s performance capability, it is essential to establish the optimal ratio between the physiological variable and body mass. The overall aim of this doctoral thesis was to investigate the importance of body-mass exponent optimization for the evaluation of performance capability in cross-country skiing.

Methods In total, 83 elite cross-country skiers (56 men and 27 women) volunteered to participate in the four studies. The physiological variables of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) and oxygen uptake corresponding to a blood-lactate concentration of 4 mmol∙l-1 (V̇O2obla) were determined while treadmill roller skiing using the diagonal-stride technique; mean oxygen uptake (V̇O2dp) and upper-body power output () were determined during double-poling tests using a ski-ergometer. Competitive performance data for elite male skiers were collected from two 15-km classical-technique skiing competitions and a 1.25-km sprint prologue; additionally, a 2-km double-poling roller-skiing time trial using the double-poling technique was used as an indicator of upper-body performance capability among elite male and female junior skiers. Power-function modelling was used to explain the race and time-trial speeds based on the physiological variables and body mass.

Results The optimal V̇O2max-to-mass ratios to explain 15-km race speed were V̇O2max divided by body mass raised to the 0.48 and 0.53 power, and these models explained 68% and 69% of the variance in mean skiing speed, respectively; moreover, the 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the body-mass exponents did not include either 0 or 1. For the modelling of race speed in the sprint prologue, body mass failed to contribute to the models based on V̇O2max, V̇O2obla, and V̇O2dp. The upper-body power output-to-body mass ratio that optimally explained time-trial speed was m-0.57 and the model explained 63% of the variance in speed.

Conclusions The results in this thesis suggest that V̇O2max divided by the square root of body mass should be used as an indicator of performance in 15-km classical-technique races among elite male skiers rather than the absolute or simple ratio-standard scaled expression. To optimally explain an elite male skier’s performance capability in sprint prologues, power-function models based on oxygen-uptake variables expressed absolutely are recommended. Moreover, to evaluate elite junior skiers’ performance capabilities in 2-km double-poling roller-skiing time trials, it is recommended that divided by the square root of body mass should be used rather than absolute or simple ratio-standard scaled expression of power output.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Umeå: Umeå University, 2015. p. 58
Series
Umeå University medical dissertations, ISSN 0346-6612 ; 1712
Keywords
allometric scaling, power-function modelling, maximal oxygen uptake, body mass, elite skiers, distance skiing, lactate threshold, double poling, sprint skiing, competition, power output, time trial
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Research subject
Research Profiles 2009-2020, Health and Welfare
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:du-20471 (URN)978-91-7601-270-3 (ISBN)
Public defence
2015-06-05, Föreläsningssal 6, Högskolegatan 2, 791 88, 14:00 (Swedish)
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Supervisors
Note

Incorrect ISBN in printed thesis: 973-91-7601-270-3

Available from: 2015-12-21 Created: 2015-12-21 Last updated: 2021-11-12Bibliographically approved

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Carlsson, TomasHammarström, Daniel

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