Effects Of Aerobic Training With Different RPEs To Double Poling Performance In Adolescent XC Skiers

Abstract

Cross-country (XC) skiers frequently perform low intensity training sessions to improve their endurance capacity or for recovery from hard sessions. It is well known that exercise performed below a certain threshold intensity, adaptational responses will only occur after a certain duration. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale may be helpful to identify reference markers for intensity-duration relationship. Such reference markers, especially during low intensity trainings, could help to improve exercise training in XC skiers’ performance. PURPOSE: To investigate adaptation of low intensity sessions, by means of session RPE (sRPE) in two groups of adolescent XC skiers with different RPEs on double poling performance after 1-week pre-competitive season training camp. METHODS: Thirteen national level XC skiers (13.4±1.9 yrs; VO2max 51.2±8.0 ml·min-1·kg-1) participated in a 1-week camp in preparatory period. Pre- and post-camp double poling performance was measured with incremental exercise test on the ski ergometer. All XC skiers trained with the same training program. Based on the athletes´ RPE values they were divided into two groups. Group1, who rated their trainings lighter and a Group2 who rated trainings harder compared to the median rating of all trainings. RESULTS: After excluding the intensive training session, Group1 average RPE rating was significantly higher compared to Group2 (3.09±0.90 vs 4.94±1.84, respectively) and total sRPE was also higher in Group2 compared to Group1 (4010±765 vs 2499±193 AU, respectively), while total training time was not different (796±41 vs 786±55 min, p<0.05). No significant differences were found in time spent in different HR zones between the two groups. Progression in ski ergometer performance in Group1 was 10.0% (ES=0.18, small), while in Group2 the progression was 12.0% (ES=0.39, moderate). CONCLUSION: Despite training with similar training plan, adolescent XC skiers experience training load differently. This leads to differences in performance changes, highlighting the importance of individual volume-intensity description. Supported by NRC Grant no. PUT1395G.