Comparison of a double poling ergometer and field test for elite cross country sit skiers

Abstract

Background: Sport specific ergometers are important for laboratory testing (i.e. peak oxygen consumption (VO(2))) and out of season training.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare cardiorespiratory variables during exercise on a double poling ergometer to a field test in elite sit skiers.

Methods: Three male and four female athletes from the Canadian National / Developmental team (17-54 years of age, six with complete paraplegia and one with cerebral palsy) completed a field test and a double poling ergometer protocol separated by at least 24 hours. Both protocols consisted of three maximal trials of skiing of three minutes duration separated by 1.5 minutes of rest. A wireless metabolic system and heart rate monitor were used to measure cardiorespiratory responses [peak heart rate, peak VO(2), and peak respiratory exchange ratio (RER)] during each test. Arterialized blood lactate was measured before the beginning of exercise, after each trial and at 5, 10 and 15 minutes post exercise.

Results: No significant differences existed between the field and ergometer tests for peak oxygen consumption (VO(2)) (field=34.7±5.5 mL·kg-1·min-1 vs. ergometer=33.4±6.9 mL·kg-1·min-1). Significantly higher peak heart rate and RER were found during the ergometer test. Significantly higher lactates were found during the ergometer test after trial 2 and trial 3.

Conclusion: The double poling ergometer is similar to a field test for evaluating peak VO(2) in elite cross country sit skiers; however, the ergometer test elicits a higher heart rate and anaerobic response.

Keywords: aerobic power; lactate; spinal cord injury.

Figure 1.

A sit skier during the field test.

Figure 2.

Modified double poling cross country ski ergometer.

Figure 3.

Oxygen consumption (VO₂) measured in a representative individual during the field and double poling ergometer protocol (3 × 3 min).

Figure 4.

Mean values for relative VO₂ ± standard deviations.

Figure 5.

Mean values for absolute VO₂ ± standard deviations.

Figure 6.

Mean blood lactate values during various time points ± standard error. Ergometer test was significantly (P<0.05) greater after trial 2 and trial 3 compared to field test.

Figure 7.

Correlation for absolute peak VO₂ measured on the ergometer vs. field test.