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Comparison of a modified double poling ergometer for cross country skiers with disabilities

The purpose of this study was to compare physiological variables (i.e. oxygen consumption, blood lactate, heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio) during exercise on a double poling ergometer modified for sit skiers to a field test for the same skiers. Three male and four female athletes from the Canadian National / Developmental team (17-54 years of age, ranging in ability from a complete T7 spinal injury to cerebral palsy) completed a field test and a double poling ergometer protocol separated by at least 24 hours. Both protocols consisted of three maximal sets of skiing of three minutes duration per set separated by approximately one and a half minutes rest. A wireless metabolic system (Sensormedics, VmaxST or Cosmed, K4b2) and heart rate monitor were used to measure physiological responses during each test. Arterialized blood lactate was measured before and after each set and for 15 minutes post exercise. There were no significant differences between the field and ergometer tests for peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) (field=35±6 mL/kg/min vs. ergometer=33±7 mL/kg/min; p=0.491). However, significantly higher peak heart rate (field=173±5 bpm vs. ergometer=178±4 bpm; p=0.046) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) (field=1.2±0.1 vs. ergometer=1.4±0.1; p=0.022) were found during the double poling ergometer protocol. There were no significant differences in blood lactate at baseline and after set one between protocols. However, a significantly higher lactate was found after set two (field=7±4 mmol/L vs. ergometer=12±5 mmol/L; p<0.001) and set three (field=8±3 mmol/L vs. ergometer=13±4 mmol/L; p=0.001) during the ergometer protocol compared to the field test. There were moderate correlations between the field and double poling ergometer for VO2 peak (r=0.79; p=0.035), and peak blood lactate (r=0.83; p=0.02). However, no correlations were found between protocols for peak heart rate (r=0.37; p=0.491) and RER (r=0.54; p=0.207). Results of this study suggest that the double poling ergometer is similar to a field test for evaluating VO2 peak in elite cross country sit skiing athletes; however, the ergometer test involves a higher heart rate and anaerobic component.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:SSU.etd-09262007-083500
Date26 September 2007
CreatorsForbes, Scott Chapman
ContributorsDal Bello-Haas, Vanina, Chilibeck, Philip D., Baxter-Jones, Adam D. G., Drinkwater, Donald T.
PublisherUniversity of Saskatchewan
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
Sourcehttp://library.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-09262007-083500/
Rightsunrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Saskatchewan or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report.

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