Methods for evaluating peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold in upper body of cross-country skiers

Methods for evaluating peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold in upper body of cross-country skiers. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 30, No. 6, pp. 963-970, 1998. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to develop a standard protocol for evaluating peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold during upper body work by cross-country skiers. Methods: All tests were performed on a specially developed ski ergometer and incorporated the double poling technique. In series I, continuous and discontinuous protocols for measuring V˙O2peak at different inclinations of the ski ergometer were performed. In series II, a protocol for evaluating anaerobic threshold during upper body work was established. Eleven well trained regional male cross-country skiers participated in the study. All tests in each series were carried out during a period of 14 d. Results: V˙O2peak did not differ using continuous or discontinuous protocol while working on the ski ergometer. Inclination was found to influence V˙O2peak, which was reduced at 7° compared with 3°, 5°, and 6°. Than working on the ski ergometer was reached at a power output, V˙O2, or fc, which gave on average a blood lactate concentration of 1.8 mmol·L−1 higher than those found after the warm-up period during a graded protocol. Conclusions: Testing only the traditional Than and V˙O2max while running on a treadmill hides important determinants of endurance in cross-country skiing as shown by that no correlation was found between V˙O2max and V˙O2peak in the present study.