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Strength training improves double‐poling performance after prolonged submaximal exercise in cross‐country skiers
Author(s) -
Øfsteng S.,
Sandbakk Ø.,
Beekvelt M.,
Hammarström D.,
Kristoffersen R.,
Hansen J.,
Paulsen G.,
Rønnestad B. R.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12990
Subject(s) - endurance training , medicine , vo2 max , physical therapy , strength training , whole body vibration , cardiology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , zoology , heart rate , physics , vibration , biology , blood pressure , quantum mechanics
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of adding strength training with or without vibration to cross‐country ( XC ) skiers’ endurance training on double‐poling ( DP ) performance, physiological, and kinematic adaptations. Twenty‐one well‐trained male XC ‐skiers combined endurance‐ and upper‐body strength training three times per week, either with (n = 11) or without (n = 10) superimposed vibrations for 8 weeks, whereas eight skiers performed endurance training only ( CON ). Testing included 1 RM in upper‐body exercises, work economy, neural activation, oxygen saturation in muscle, and DP kinematics during a prolonged submaximal DP roller ski test which was directly followed by a time to exhaustion ( TTE ) test. TTE was also performed in rested state, and the difference between the two TTE tests ( TTE diff ) determined the ability to maintain DP performance after prolonged exercise. Vibration induced no additional effect on strength or endurance gains. Therefore, the two strength training groups were pooled ( STR , n = 21). 1 RM in STR increased more than in CON ( P < .05), and there were no differences in changes between STR and CON in any measurements during prolonged submaximal DP . STR improved TTE following prolonged DP (20 ± 16%, P < .001) and revealed a moderate effect size compared to CON ( ES = 0.80; P = .07). Furthermore, STR improved TTE diff more than CON ( P = .049). In conclusion, STR superiorly improved 1 RM strength, DP performance following prolonged submaximal DP and TTE diff , indicating a specific effect of improved strength on the ability to maintain performance after long‐lasting exercise.