Physiological Stress of Competing and Training in Figure Skating

Abstract

Physiological Stress of Competing and Training in Figure Skating Esa Hynynen1, Ville Vesterinen1, Tommi Sipari1, Laura Tast2, Ari Nummela1 1 KIHU – Research Institute for Olympic Sports, Jyvaskyla, Finland 2 Finnish Figure Skating Association, Helsinki, Finland Despite the merits of many studies on biomechanics and injuries in figure skating, physiological demands of figure skating remain unclear. PURPOSE: This study was made to investigate the physiological stress of training and competing in figure skaters. METHODS: Five men and five women of the national team of Finland participated in this study. Heart rate was recorded during the short program and free skating competition. Fingertip blood samples were collected immediately after the program sessions to analyze blood lactate concentrations. The athletes also rated their perceived exertion (0-10) after program sessions. In addition, the same measurements were done in two training sessions (technique and program) in two men and two women. RESULTS: Figure skaters had higher blood lactate concentration after free skating when compared to the short program (12.0 ± 2.2 mM vs. 10.7 ± 2.2 mM, P < 0.05, respectively). They also rated their perceived exertion higher after free skating when compared to the short program (8.2 ± 1.1 vs. 6.4 ± 1.4, P < 0.01). No differences were found in the heart rate responses to competitions between the short program and free skating. Blood lactate concentrations were higher in competitions when compared to the technique training sessions (1.3 ± 2.2 mM, P < 0.01) and program training sessions (7.1 ± 2.6 mM, P < 0.05). The perceived exertion in technique training session was rated lower (5.0 ± 1.6) than in the competitions (P < 0.05) and in program training sessions (6.5 ± 1.7, P < 0.05). Also the average heart rate was higher during the competition (188 ± 7 bpm) than in technique training sessions (132 ± 20 bpm, P < 0.05) and program training sessions (175 ± 8 bpm, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present findings of high heart rate and blood lactate concentrations suggest that the physiological stress is high during the competitions and during the program training. The longer duration of the free skating may explain the higher blood lactate concentrations and perceived exertion in comparison to the short program. The competition situation seems to accentuate the sympathetic activity as suggested by higher heart rate during program in competition than in training.