Relationships Between Maximal Aerobic Speed, Lactate Threshold, and Double Poling Velocity at Lactate Threshold in Cross-Country Skiers

Jan-Michael Johansen; Arnstein Sunde; Jan Helgerud; Øyvind Støren

doi:10.3389/fphys.2022.829758

Relationships Between Maximal Aerobic Speed, Lactate Threshold, and Double Poling Velocity at Lactate Threshold in Cross-Country Skiers

Front Physiol. 2022 Feb 28:13:829758. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.829758. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Jan-Michael Johansen¹, Arnstein Sunde¹, Jan Helgerud^{2

3}, Øyvind Støren¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor Studies, University of Southeastern Norway, Bø, Norway.
² Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
³ Myworkout, Medical Rehabilitation Center, Trondheim, Norway.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the relationships between maximal aerobic speed (MAS), lactate threshold in per cent of peak oxygen uptake (LT) and velocity at LT (LT_v) in cross-country skiers. Secondly, we aimed to explore the fit of an equation previously used in cyclists and runners in a cohort of well-trained, competitive cross-country skiers for calculation of LT_v. Thirdly, we aimed to investigate if a new LT_v could still be calculated after a period of regular training only by providing a new MAS.

Methods: Ninety-five competitive cross-country skiers (65 males and 30 females) were tested for maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max), peak oxygen uptake in double poling (DP-VO_2peak), oxygen cost of double poling (C_DP), LT, and LT_v. Thirty-five skiers volunteered to be tested 3 months later to evaluate potential changes in LT and LT_v.

Results: Velocity at LT was mainly determined by MAS (r = 0.88, p < 0.01). LT did not show a significant impact on LT_v. The product of MAS·LT precisely predicted LT_v at baseline (r = 0.99, SEE = 2.4%), and by only measuring MAS, a new LT_v could be accurately calculated (r = 0.92, SEE = 6.8%) 3 months later in a sub-set of the initial 95 skiers (n = 35).

Conclusion: The results suggest that LT has minor impact on LT_v in DP tested in a laboratory. LT_v seemed to be predominantly determined by MAS, and we suggest to put more focus on MAS and less on LT and LT_v in regular testing to evaluate aerobic performance capacity in DP.

Keywords: aerobic endurance; cross-country skiing; endurance testing; lactate threshold; maximal aerobic speed.