Velocity At VO2peak (vVO2peak) And OBLA (vOBLA) As Predictors Of Performance In Junior Cross-country Skiers

Abstract

It is well documented that maximal oxygen consumption and lactate threshold predict performance in cross-country skiing; the sport requires athletes to perform at the upper range of these physiological variables. Velocity at each of these measures, which considers economy as well, has been found to better predict performance in endurance events and thus may also relate to cross-country skiing race potential. PURPOSE: To determine if the speed variables of vVO2peak and vOBLA predict performance in junior cross-country skiers. METHODS: Fourteen male and female junior cross-country skiers participated in the study (boys: n = 6, age = 16 ± 2 yr; girls: n = 8, age = 16.9 ± 0.6 yr). Each participant performed an incremental treadmill test to determine VO2peak and vVO2peak. Blood lactate was measured at each stage to assess onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA, 4 mmol/L) and vOBLA. The results from three regional cup races were used to rank the participants. RESULTS: For the boys, VO2peak (r = -.845), vVO2peak (r = -.832), OBLA (r = -.843), and vOBLA (r = -.878) all significantly correlated with performance (p < 0.05). For the girls, only VO2peak (r = -.742), vVO2peak (r = -.757), and vOBLA (r = -.709) significantly correlated with performance (p < 0.05). OBLA was not a significant predictor variable for the girls (r = -.543, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: vOBLA (p = 0.011) and vVO2peak (p = 0.015) were the strongest predictors of performance for the boys and girls, respectively. These speed variables should be considered along with the traditional predictors of maximal oxygen consumption and lactate threshold when assessing performance of junior cross-country skiers.