Upper-Body Muscular Endurance Training Improves Performance Following 50 min of Double Poling in Well-Trained Cross-Country Skiers.

Jørgen Børve,Steffen N Jevne,Bjarne Rud,Thomas Losnegard

doi:10.3389/fphys.2017.00690

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of muscular endurance training on O2-cost and performance in double poling (DP) on a rollerski treadmill. Twenty-two well-trained cross-country skiers (31 ± 4 years, 77 ± 9 kg, 181 ± 8 cm, VO2max running: 64 ± 5 mL·kg−1·min−1) were counter-balanced to either a combined muscular endurance and running interval training group [MET; n = 11 (♂ = 9, ♀ = 2)], or an endurance running interval training group [ET; n = 11 (♂ = 9, ♀ = 2)]. Both groups continued their normal low-and moderate intensity training, but replaced 2 weekly high intensity-training sessions with two project-specific sessions for 6 weeks. In these sessions, MET combined upper-body muscular endurance training (4 × 30 repetitions, 90 s rest between sets) and running intervals (3 × 4 or 2 × 6 min, 3 min rest), while ET performed running intervals only (6 × 4 or 4 × 6 min, 3 min rest). The DP test-protocol consisted of 50 min submaximal poling for O2-cost measurement, followed by a self-paced 1,000-m performance test. In addition, subjects performed a VO2max test in running. MET increased muscular endurance (P < 0.05) and 1RM in simulated DP (P < 0.01) more than ET. Further, MET reduced the 1,000-m time and O2-cost compared to baseline values (P < 0.05), and tended to improve the 1,000-m time more than ET (P = 0.06). There were no changes in VO2max running or VO2peak DP in either MET or ET. In conclusion, 6 weeks of muscular endurance training increased both muscular endurance and 1RM in simulated DP. Further, specific upper-body muscular endurance training improved DP performance and thus, seems as a promising training model to optimize performance in well-trained cross-country skiers.

Highlights

In cross-country (XC) skiing, the classic style double poling (DP) technique has been considerably developed over the last decade and is today the main technique used in races
There was a tendency toward differences between groups in total training volume prior to the training intervention (P = 0.10), mainly due to a higher volume of LIT in muscular endurance training group (MET) compared to endurance training group (ET) (Table 3)
There were no differences in the intensity-zone distribution between pre-intervention and intervention in MET

Summary

Introduction

In cross-country (XC) skiing, the classic style double poling (DP) technique has been considerably developed over the last decade and is today the main technique used in races. The DP technique is characterized by a symmetrical DP action, which transfers propulsive forces solely through the poles. This emphasizes the importance of well-developed upper-body power in employing DP successfully throughout an entire race (Stöggl et al, 2007; Losnegard et al, 2011). The introduction of new competition formats such as sprint and mass starts has increased the importance of a high work-intensity during the closing part of races, which makes it vital to conserve power for the final sprint.

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