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Int J Sports Med 1988; 09(6): 433-437
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1025046
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Aerobic Threshold, Anaerobic Threshold, and Maximal Oxygen Uptake of Japanese Speed-Skaters*

I. Nemoto1 , K. Iwaoka2 , K. Funato3 , N. Yoshioka4 , M. Miyashita5
  • 1Human Performance Laboratory, Toho University School of Medicine, 5-21-16 Omori-nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 113, Japan
  • 2Human Performance Laboratory in Tabata, 1-11-1 Tabata, Kita-ku, Tokyo, Japan
  • 3Department of the Sports Sciences, College of Art and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153, Japan
  • 4The College of Arts and Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260, Japan
  • 5Laboratory for Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics, Faculty of Education, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113, Japan
* This study was supported in part by a grant from the Japanese Skating Federation.
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Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiologic and metabolic parameters of speed-skaters with different training regimes and performance level and examine some physiologic prerequisites for speed-skating. The subjects were 25 male speed-skaters including members of the 1984 Japanese National Speed Skating Team whose ages ranged from 19 to 25 years. Aerobic threshold (AerT), anaerobic threshold (AnT), and V̇O2max were determined during a progressive bicycle ergometer exercise. The power was increased by 12.25 W every 3 min to exhaustion. AerT was determined using gas exchange variables; nonlinear increase in Ve and V̇CO2, and peak V̇O2·V̇E -1 . AnT was estimated from breakaway Ve and the onset of decrease in FeCO2. V̇O2max was measured during another incremental exercise on a bicycle ergometer. Mean AerT, AnT, and V̇O2max for skaters (n = 25) were 2.47±0.36·min-1 (61.1±7.2%V̇O2max), 2.93±0.33·min-1 (73.4±5.9%V̇O2max), and 4.06±0.42 ·min-1, respectively. All-arounders had higher AerT values but the same V̇O2max as sprinters. AnT of all-arounders was significantly higher than those of sprinters. A significant difference between the top ten elite skaters and the other skaters (n = 15) was found only in V̇O2max expressed as I·min-1. However, no significant correlation was noted between measured physiologic variables (AerT, AnT, and V̇O2max) and performances expressed as mean velocities at various events. These results might suggest that V̇O2max expressed as absolute term (I·min-1) is the primary important factor for the high-level performance and that the AerT and the AnT, in particular the AnT, would also be of physiologic significance for speed-skaters in endurance events.

Key words

aerobic threshold - anaerobic threshold - maximal oxygen uptake - bicycle ergometry - skating performance