Seasonal Variation of (V) over dotO2max and the (V) over dotO2-Work Rate Relationship in Elite Alpine Skiers

GROSS, M A. F A BRFIL, A. D LEHMANN H HOPPELER, and M VOGT Seasonal Variation of VO2max and the VO2 Work Rate Relationship in Elite Alpine Skters. Med Sci Sports Exerc, Vol 41. No 11, pp 2084-2089, 2009 Purpose Alpine ski performance relates closely to both anaerobic and aerobic capacities. During their competitive season, skiers greatly reduce endurance and weight training, and on-snow training becomes predominant. To typify this shift, we compared exhaustive ramp cycling and squat (SJ) and countermovement jumping (CMJ) performance in clite males before and after their competitive season Results. In postseason compared with preseason 1) maximal oxygen uptake ((V) over dotO(2max)) normalized to bodyweight was higher (55.2 +/- 5.2% vs 52.7 +/- 3.6 mL kg(-1) min(-1). P < 0.01). but corresponding work rate (W) was unchanged, 2) at ventilatory thresholds (V-t), absolute and relative work rates were similar but heart rates were lower. 3) VO2/W slope was greater (9.59 +/- 0.6 vs 9.19 +/- 0.4 mL O-2 min(-1) W--1,W- P = 0.02). with similar flattening (P < 0.01) above V-11 at both time points. and 4) jump height was greater in SJ (47.4 +/- 4.4 vs 44.7 +/- 4.3 cm. P < 0.01) and CMJ (52.7 +/- 4.6 vs 50.4 +/- 5.0 cm. P < 0.01). Discussion We believe that aerobic capacity and leg power were constrained in preseason and that improvements primarily reflected an in-season recovery from a fatigued state, which was caused by incongtuous preseason training Residual adaptations to high-altitude exposure in preseason could have also affected the results Nonetheless, modern alpine skung seemingly provides an ample cardiovascular training stimulus for skiers to maintain their aerobic capacities during the racing season Conclusions We conclude that aerobic fitness and leg explosiveness can be maintained in-season but may be compromised by heavy or excessive preseason training In addition, ramp test VO2/W slope analysis could be useful for monitoring both positive and negative responses to training