Metabolic Cost of Downhill Ski Ergometry in Males

Abstract

This study compared the physiological responses to 20 min of simulated downhill skiing between the NordicSportTM and Skier's EdgeTM downhill ski ergometers. Experienced male skiers N = 15, age = 18-34 yrs.) volunteered as Ss. Pretest measurements included a treadmill V0,max test and % body fat (BF) by skinfolds (V0,max = 58.5 ml/kg/min, BF = 12.9%). Each S performed 20 min of steady state exercise, at a cadence eliciting a HR between 70.85% of i-iRmax (avg = 88 turns/min), on both ski ergometers in random order and on separate days. During the exercise sessions VO, (ml/kg/min), HR (bpm), and RPE were measured each min. Responses between conditions were analyzed with paired t-tests. Analysis revealed that all responses were significantly (p e .05) higher for the NordicSportTM condition. Individual regression equations were calculated from the treadmill data to investigate the HR-VO, relationship during downhill ski ergometry compared to that of treadmill running. Results showed that there was no significant difference between actual VO, measured during downhill ski ergometry and VO, predicted from the treadmill running prediction equations for both the NordicSportTM and Skier's EdgeTM conditions, at the same HR. It was concluded that both ski ergometers can provide a sport specific workout for downhill skiing. However, due to differences in ergometer design and resistance characteristics, the NordicSportTM elicited greater physiological responses at similar self-selected cadences and horizontal displacements.