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Reliable and sensitive physical testing of elite trapeze sailors
Author(s) -
Bay J.,
BojsenMøller J.,
Nordsborg N. B.
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.12993
Subject(s) - blood lactate , zoology , treadmill , vo2 max , body weight , heart rate , medicine , mathematics , physical therapy , biology , blood pressure
It was investigated whether a newly developed discipline‐specific test for elite‐level trapeze sailors is reliable and sensitive. Furthermore, the physical demands of trapeze sailing were examined. In part 1, 9 national team athletes were accustomed to a simulated sailing test, which subsequently was completed on 4 occasions to determine test reliability and sensitivity to manipulations in body weight. Rope‐pulling mean power output ( MPO ), oxygen consumption ( VO 2 ), heart rate ( HR ), and blood lactate values were acquired in all trials. In part 2, 6 sailors completed on‐water racing with concurrent measurements of VO 2 , HR , and blood lactate. VO 2max was determined during an incremental treadmill running test. Typical error, minimal difference, and ICC for average MPO in the test were 1.3%, 1.7%, and 0.99%, respectively. Adding 4 kg of external body weight caused a decrease in average MPO (270 ± 45W vs 265 ± 45W, P < .05) and an increase in VO 2 (2.44 ± 0.23 L·min −1 vs 2.55 ± 0.26 L·min −1 , P < .01). VO 2 , HR , and blood lactate during on‐water sailing were 54.5% ± 7.2% VO 2max , 75.1% ± 3.1% HR max , and 5.8 ± 2.7 mmol·L −1 , respectively. However, VO 2 and HR were substantially higher for periods of the race as peak values were 83.5% ± 11.4% and 89.9% ± 1.7% of max, respectively. In conclusion, the present test is reliable and sensitive, thus providing a sailing‐specific alternative to traditional physical testing of elite trapeze sailors. Additionally, on‐water racing requires moderate aerobic energy production, although oxygen consumption can approach maximal levels for short periods of time.