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

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 VO2max 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 VCO2, and peak VO2.VE-1. AnT was estimated from breakaway VE and the onset of decrease in FECO2.VO2max was measured during another incremental exercise on a bicycle ergometer. Mean AerT, AnT, and VO2max for skaters (n = 25) were 2.47 +/- 0.36.min-1 (61.1 +/- 7.2 %VO2max), 2.93 +/- 0.33.min-1 (73.4 +/- 5.9 %VO2max), and 4.06 +/- 0.42.min-1, respectively. All-arounders had higher AerT values but the same VO2max 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 VO2max expressed as l.min-1. However, no significant correlation was noted between measured physiologic variables (AerT, AnT, and VO2max) and performances expressed as mean velocities at various events.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)