Physiological Predictors of Performance in Mountaineering Ski

Vasileios Voutselas, Dimitrios Soulas & Alexandros Kritikos

Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Hellas

Abstract

Mountaineering ski contains elements from the alpine ski and cross-country ski. The aim of the present research was to determine the factors which contribute to performance at the phase of the uphill skiing in moun- taineering ski. Ten mountaineering ski athletes took part in the present research. Pearson correlation coefficient investigated for correlation between race performance and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), velocity at maxi- mal oxygen uptake (vVO2max), anaerobic threshold (AT), velocity at anaerobic threshold (vAT), body mass index (BMI), accumulation of lactic acid (La) during the race and isokinetic strength of knee flexors and ex- tensors. The results showed a strong correlation between the race performance (time performance) and vVO2max (r=-.91), ΒΜΙ (r=.85) and vAT (r=.84), and a correlation of smaller strength between the race performance and accumulation of lactic acid (r=-.72) during the race and maximum isokinetic strength of knee flexors (r=.71). Ιn conclusion, race performance in mountaineering ski is correlated with high aerobic power, low BMI and tolerance in high lactic acid concentration.

Key words: maximal oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold, body mass index, maximum isokinetic strength of knee extensors and flexors