A novel incremental slide board test for speed skaters: Reliability analysis and comparison with a cycling test

Abstract

Introduction: Exercise prescription from indices obtained from cycling or running treadmill incremental tests does not seem suitable for speed skaters. However, the specificity of laboratory skating assessments remains to be established. Purpose: This study intended to assess the test–retest reliability of an incremental test performed on a slide board (SB), and its validity compared with a cycling protocol in order to determine aerobic performance indices in speed skaters. Methods: Ten competitive inline speed skaters performed two incremental tests on an SB and one cycling incremental test. The intensity of SB test was determined by cadence, starting at 30 push-offs/min and increasing by three push-offs/min each minute, until volitional exhaustion. Maximal and submaximal values related to the anaerobic threshold (AT) of oxygen uptake (VO2), pulmonary ventilation (VE), respiratory exchange (RER), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived effort (RPE), cadence (CAD), and blood lactate concentration ([Lac]max) were measured. Results: No significant differences were found in any of the variables between test–retest on SB. High relative (ICC > 0.9) and absolute reliability (typical error of measure as CVTEM < 3.5%) were found for VO2max, HRmax, [Lac]max, CADmax, VO2AT, CADAT, and RPEAT. In comparison to SB test, the [Lac]max was significantly higher during cycling, and the RPEAT was lower. VO2max, HRmax, CADmax, VO2AT and CADAT were largely correlated between cycling and SB (r > 0.8). Conclusions: The findings suggest that SB test is reliable and adequate to evaluate aerobic performance indices of speed skaters.

Full text

Apunts
Med
Esport.
2015;50(186):57---63
www.apunts/org
ORIGINAL
ARTICLE
A
novel
incremental
slide
board
test
for
speed
skaters:
Reliability
analysis
and
comparison
with
a
cycling
test
Tatiane
Piucco∗,
Saray
Giovana
dos
Santos,
Ricardo
Dantas
de
Lucas,
Jonathan
Ache
Dias
Biomechanics
Laboratory,
Federal
University
of
Santa
Catarina,
Florianópolis,
Brazil
Received
29
September
2014;
accepted
2
January
2015
Available
online
11
February
2015
KEYWORDS
Athletic
performance;
Skating;
Exercise
test;
Physical
exertion
Abstract
Introduction:
Exercise
prescription
from
indices
obtained
from
cycling
or
running
treadmill
incremental
tests
does
not
seem
suitable
for
speed
skaters.
However,
the
specificity
of
labora-
tory
skating
assessments
remains
to
be
established.
Purpose:
This
study
intended
to
assess
the
test---retest
reliability
of
an
incremental
test
per-
formed
on
a
slide
board
(SB),
and
its
validity
compared
with
a
cycling
protocol
in
order
to
determine
aerobic
performance
indices
in
speed
skaters.
Methods:
Te n
competitive
inline
speed
skaters
performed
two
incremental
tests
on
an
SB
and
one
cycling
incremental
test.
The
intensity
of
SB
test
was
determined
by
cadence,
starting
at
30
push-offs/min
and
increasing
by
three
push-offs/min
each
minute,
until
volitional
exhaustion.
Maximal
and
submaximal
values
related
to
the
anaerobic
threshold
(AT)
of
oxygen
uptake
(VO2),
pulmonary
ventilation
(VE),
respiratory
exchange
(RER),
heart
rate
(HR),
rating
of
perceived
effort
(RPE),
cadence
(CAD),
and
blood
lactate
concentration
([Lac]max)
were
measured.
Results:
No
significant
differences
were
found
in
any
of
the
variables
between
test---retest
on
SB.
High
relative
(ICC
>
0.9)
and
absolute
reliability
(typical
error
of
measure
as
CVTEM <
3.5%)
were
found
for
VO2max,
HRmax,
[Lac]max,
CADmax,
VO2AT,
CADAT ,
and
RPEAT .
In
comparison
to
SB
test,
the
[Lac]max
was
significantly
higher
during
cycling,
and
the
RPEAT was
lower.
VO2max,
HRmax,
CADmax,
VO2AT and
CADAT were
largely
correlated
between
cycling
and
SB
(r
>
0.8).
Conclusions:
The
findings
suggest
that
SB
test
is
reliable
and
adequate
to
evaluate
aerobic
performance
indices
of
speed
skaters.
©
2014
Consell
Català
de
l’Esport.
Generalitat
de
Catalunya.
Published
by
Elsevier
España,
S.L.U.
All
rights
reserved.
∗Corresponding
author.
E-mail
address:
tatianepiucco@yahoo.com.br
(T.
Piucco).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apunts.2015.01.003
1886-6581/©
2014
Consell
Català
de
l’Esport.
Generalitat
de
Catalunya.
Published
by
Elsevier
España,
S.L.U.
All
rights
reserved.
Document downloaded from http://www.apunts.org, day 12/06/2015. This copy is for personal use. Any transmission of this document by any media or format is strictly prohibited.

58
T.
Piucco
et
al.
PALABRAS
CLAVE
Desempe˜
no
atlético;
Patinaje;
Test
de
esfuerzo;
Esfuerzo
físico
Nuevo
test
incremental
en
una
base
de
deslizamiento
para
patinadores
velocistas:
análisis
de
confiabilidad
y
comparación
con
un
test
de
ciclismo
Resumen
Introducción:
La
prescripción
de
ejercicios
obtenidos
por
medio
índices
de
tests
de
ciclismo
o
sobre
la
cinta
de
correr,
parecen
no
ser
apropiados
para
patinadores.
Sin
embargo,
la
especifi-
cidad
de
medidas
de
laboratorios
para
patinadores
debe
ser
establecida.
Objetivo:
Evaluar
la
confiabilidad
del
test-retest
de
un
test
incremental
realizado
en
una
base
de
deslizamiento
(BS),
así
como
la
validad
del
mismo
comparado
con
un
protocolo
de
ciclismo
para
determinar
índices
aeróbicos
en
el
desempe˜
no
de
patinadores
velocistas.
Métodos:
Diez
patinadores
velocistas
inline
ejecutaron
dos
tests
incrementales
sobre
un
BS
y
un
test
incremental
de
ciclismo.
La
intensidad
del
test
sobre
BS
fue
determinada
mediante
la
cadencia,
comenzando
en
30
empujes/min
y
aumentando
en
tres
empujes/min
a
cada
minuto
hasta
el
agotamiento
volitivo.
Fueron
medidos
valores
máximos
e
submáximos
relacionados
con
el
umbral
anaeróbico
(UA)
del
consumo
de
oxígeno
(VO2),
ventilación
pulmonar
(VP),
intercam-
bio
respiratorio
(IR),
frecuencia
cardíaca
(FC),
escala
de
percepción
de
esfuerzo
(EPE),
cadencia
(CAD)
y
lactato
sanguíneo
([Lac]max).
Resultados:
No
se
encontraron
diferencias
significativas
entre
test---retest
sobre
la
BS
en
ninguna
de
las
variables.
Se
obtuvieron
niveles
elevados
en
el
coeficiente
intercalase
(ICC
>
0.9)
y
en
la
confiabilidad
absoluta
(error
típico
de
medida
CVTEM <
3.5%)
para
el
VO2max,
FCmax,
[Lac]max,
CADmax,
VO2AT,
CADAT ,
and
EPEAT .
En
comparación
con
el
test
de
BS,
el
[Lac]max
fue
signifi-
cantemente
más
alto
durante
el
test
de
ciclismo
y
la
EPEAT fue
más
baja.
El
VO2max,
FCmax,
CADmax,
VO2AT and
CADAT tuvieron
correlación
alta
entre
el
test
de
ciclismo
y
el
de
BS
(r
>
0.8).
Conclusión:
Los
resultados
obtenidos
sugieren
que
el
test
de
BS
es
confiable
y
adecuado
para
evaluar
índices
de
desempe˜
no
de
patinadores
velocistas.
©
2014
Consell
Català
de
l’Esport.
Generalitat
de
Catalunya.
Publicado
por
Elsevier
España,
S.L.U.
Todos
los
derechos
reservados.
Introduction
Skating
sports
involve
both
aerobic
and
anaerobic
energy
supply.1,2 During
the
start,
a
large
amount
of
anaerobic
energy
contribution
is
necessary
to
accelerate,
and
then,
the
last
lap
is
predominantly
covered
on
the
basis
of
aero-
bic
power.
Even
during
the
last
lap
of
a
1500
m
track
race
the
energy
is
supplied
by
greater
than
90%
aerobic
sources.1This
reveals
the
importance
of
aerobic
fitness
for
professional
inline
or
on
ice
speed
skaters.
Aerobic
fitness
tests
are
largely
used
to
monitoring
endurance
performance,
and
to
control
and
prescribe
train-
ing
intensities
during
speed
skating.3To
be
effective,
the
performance
evaluations
for
exercise
prescription
must
be
valid,
reliable
and
movement-specific.
It
is
generally
accepted
that
optimal
adaptations
can
be
obtained
from
training
loads
specifically
related
to
the
sport
activity
itself,
due
to
the
physiological
and
neuromuscular
specificity.4,5
Exercise
prescription
from
measurements
obtained
from
cycling
or
running
treadmill
incremental
tests
does
not
seem
suitable
for
speed
skaters.6,7 However,
the
specificity
of
laboratory
skating
evaluations
remains
to
be
established,
particularly
because
skating
activities
are
difficult
to
simu-
late
in
the
laboratory.3Since
the
development
of
the
skating
treadmill
in
1993,
there
has
been
little
research
on
the
skat-
ing
treadmill’s
validity
to
elicit
a
VO2max,
or
determining
what
type
of
protocol
to
use
for
evaluating
physiological
indices.8Also,
skating
treadmills
are
very
expensive
and
challenging
to
be
used
by
coaches
to
optimise
the
training
programmes
of
athletes
through
periodic
laboratory
evalu-
ation.
Given
the
importance
of
aerobic
parameter
assessment
to
monitoring
inline
or
on-ice
speed
skaters,
it
is
valuable
to
develop
an
appropriate
test
for
these
athletes.
In
this
sense,
the
SB
has
been
widely
used
as
an
off-ice
training
modality
by
speed
skaters,
since
it
seems
to
mimic
the
speed
skating
gesture.
However,
to
the
best
of
our
knowledge,
there
are
no
studies
attempting
to
validate
a
specific
test
to
evaluate
aerobic
indices
of
speed
skaters
or
using
a
slide
board
(SB)
as
ergometer.
The
developing
of
an
incremental
test
using
the
SB
may
allow
for
a
simple
and
low
cost
sport-specific
evaluation
of
speed
skaters.
Thus,
the
purpose
of
this
study
was
twofold:
(1)
to
assess
the
test---retest
reliability
of
a
short
incremental
test
per-
formed
on
SB;
(2)
to
compare
maximal
and
submaximal
aerobic
indices
obtained
from
cycling
and
SB
skating
incre-
mental
tests.
Material
and
methods
Participants
Eight
male
and
two
female
competitive
inline
speed
skaters
voluntarily
participated
in
the
study.
They
all
had
SB
train-
ing
experience
and
have
skating
for
at
least
three
years.
The
mean
age
was
30.6
±
6
years.
The
mean
body
mass,
percent-
age
of
body
fat
and
height
were
respectively,
71.4
±
11
kg,
Document downloaded from http://www.apunts.org, day 12/06/2015. This copy is for personal use. Any transmission of this document by any media or format is strictly prohibited.

A
novel
incremental
slide
board
test
for
speed
skaters
59
17.4
±
5.7%,
and
1.73
±
0.07
m
for
males,
and
62.3
±
1.5
kg,
25.9
±
2.05%
and
1.66
±
2.2
m
for
females.
The
study
was
conducted
in
accordance
with
ethical
principles
for
medical
research
involving
human
and
in
accordance
with
ethical
standards
of
the
Local
University
Human
Research
Ethics
Committee.
All
participants
signed
an
informed
consent
doc-
ument
with
a
detailed
description
of
the
aims,
benefits
and
risks
of
participating
in
the
study,
as
well
as
data
protection.
Procedures
The
participants
were
instructed
to
refrain
from
heavy
train-
ing,
maintain
a
regular
diet
24
h
prior
to
testing,
and
to
abstain
from
the
ingestion
of
any
stimulant
(caffeine
drink,
nicotine,
etc.)
or
alcohol
during
the
preceding
testing
day.
All
participants
were
familiarised
with
the
tests
and
the
equipment
prior
the
data
collection.
Three
incremental
tests
were
performed
in
laboratory-
controlled
conditions:
a
maximal
incremental
cadence
cycle
ergometer
test,
and
two
maximal
incremental
cadence
SB
tests
to
verify
the
test---retest
reliability.
The
tests
were
per-
formed
two
to
four
days
apart,
at
the
same
time
of
day
and
room
temperature
in
order
to
ensure
similar
environmental
conditions.
Incremental
cycling
test
The
cycling
protocol
was
performed
on
a
Lode
Excalibur
Sport
Cycle
Ergometer
(Groninger,
Holland).
Prior
to
the
maximal
test,
a
5-min
warm-up
at
a
workload
of
50---60
W
with
a
cadence
of
90
rpm
was
performed.
After
a
three-
minute
rest,
the
participants
started
the
test
at
an
initial
workload
relative
to
their
body
weight
(2.75
W
kg−1)
with
the
cadence
increased
by
10
rpm
each
minute
from
an
ini-
tial
cadence
of
70
rpm.9The
test
was
terminated
when
the
selected
cadence
could
no
longer
be
maintained
or
at
voli-
tional
exhaustion.
Incremental
SB
test
The
SB
protocol
was
performed
on
an
instrumented
SB
(2.0
cm
×
0.6
cm
×
0.025
cm)
developed
specifically
for
this
project
(Fig.
1).
The
SB
surface
was
made
of
polyethylene
(friction
coefficient
=
0.1)
and
a
non-slip
material
(ethylene
vinyl
acetate
---
EVA)
was
placed
underneath.
Tw o
optical
Speakers
Computer
1 Emitter
Athlete’s monitor
2 Receptor
Figure
1
Instrumented
SB
scheme.
1
---
photoemitter;
2
---
photordeceptor.
sensors,
connected
to
a
computer,
were
placed
at
both
extremities
of
the
SB
to
detect
the
movement
of
the
ath-
letes’
feet,
and
to
determine
the
contact
time
at
the
lateral
stoppers
to
indicate
the
athletes’
cadence.
Specific
software
was
developed
to
control
and
help
the
athlete
to
keep
the
pace
by
providing
visual
and
auditory
feedback,
and
also
to
determine
the
end
of
the
test
by
means
of
the
signals
input
from
the
SB.
The
subject
wore
a
pair
of
fleece
socks
to
skate
on
SB
during
the
test.
The
participants
performed
a
five-minute
warm-up
at
a
cadence
of
30
push-offs
per
minute.
After
a
3-min
rest,
the
test
began
with
a
cadence
of
30
push-off/min
and
it
increased
by
three
push-off/min
every
minute.
The
participants
were
asked
to
maintain
a
constant
skating
posture,
and
they
were
free
to
move
their
arms
during
the
test.
The
test
was
completed
when
the
selected
cadence
could
no
longer
be
maintained
or
at
voli-
tional
exhaustion.
Identical
procedures
were
applied
during
the
re-test.
Participants
were
verbally
encouraged
to
exert
maxi-
mum
effort
during
the
tests.
The
rate
of
perceived
exertion
(RPE)
during
the
tests
was
accessed
by
the
Borg
scale
(6---20
points)
at
the
end
of
each
stage.10 Ventilation
(VE),
respiratory
exchange
ratio
(RER)
and
oxygen
consumption
(VO2)
were
measured
breath-by-breath
using
a
gas
anal-
yser
(Quark
PFT
Ergo,
Cosmed,
Rome,
Italy),
calibrated
according
to
manufacturer’s
instructions
prior
to
each
test.
VO2max
was
considered
to
be
the
highest
value
averaged
over
15-s.
The
attainment
of
VO2max
was
defined
using
the
criteria
proposed
by
Howley
et
al.11 The
maximal
cadence
(CADmax)
was
defined
as
the
maximal
number
of
push-offs/min
reached
during
the
SB
test.
If
the
final
stage
was
not
completed,
the
CADmax
was
calculated
according
to
the
follow
equation
adapted
from
Kuipers
et
al.12:
CADmax =
CADf+t
60
×
3
with
CADfthe
cadence
of
the
final
stage
completed,
t
the
uncompleted
stage
time
(s),
60
the
stage
duration
(s)
and
3
the
cadence
increment
per
stage.
Blood
samples
were
collected
from
subjects’
earlobe
one,
three,
and
five
min-
utes
following
test
completion
to
assess
the
maximal
blood
lactate
concentration
([Lac]max).
[Lac]
were
assessed
using
an
electrochemical
analyser
(YSI
2700
STAT,
Yellow
Springs,
OH,
USA),
calibrated
according
to
the
manufacturer’s
recommendations
before
each
analysis.
The
ventilatory
threshold
(VT)
intensity
was
determined
by
two
experi-
enced
evaluators,
established
as
an
increase
in
respiratory
equivalent
for
O2and
CO2respectively.13 D-max
method14
was
used
to
identify
the
heart
rate
deflection
point
(HRDP),
which
is
related
to
the
anaerobic
threshold
(AT).15
A
paired
t-test
was
used
to
compare
data
obtained
from
the
two
SB
trials
in
a
test---retest
fashion
and
between
the
SB
and
cycling
tests.
Heteroscedasticity
of
all
variables
were
examined
by
Bland---Altman
plotting
of
the
absolute
individual
differences
vs.
the
individual
means.
The
slope
of
the
linear
regression
of
this
data
was
tested
against
zero,
in
order
to
assess
the
relationship
significance.16
Intraclass
correlation
coefficients
(ICC)
and
typical
error
of
measurement
(TEM)
were
calculated
according
to
Hopkins17
to
determine
the
test---retest
reliability.
The
TEM
was
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60
T.
Piucco
et
al.
Table
1
Test---retest
reliability
scores
of
maximal
and
submaximal
(HRDP)
variables
(mean
±
SD)
during
incremental
SB
test.
Test
Retest
CVTEM (%)
ICC
(95%CI)
Bias
VO2max
(ml
kg−1min−1)
47.5
±
7.7
47.6
±
6.3
3.18
0.97
(0.91---0.99)
0.09
HRmax
(bpm)
190.9
±
8.9
189.6
±
6.8
1.19
0.95
(0.800---0.99)
−1.30
RERmax
1.21
±
0.12 1.15
±
0.07
7.25
−0.41
(−1.86
to
0.73)
−0.06
VEmax
(l
min−1) 115.1
±
21.4 111.4
±
19 6.32
0.74
(0.03---0.93)
−3.60
CADmax
(Push-off
min−1) 64.0
±
9.3 64.9
±
9.5 1.21 0.99
(0.98---0.99) 0.60
[Lac]max
(mmol
l−1) 10.3
±
1.9 10.2
±
1.9 6.72 0.92
(0.70---0.98) −0.27
RPEmax
17.2
±
0.6
17.1
±
0.5
4.01
0.86
(0.47---0.96)
−0.10
VO2AT (ml
kg−1min−1)
42.35
±
5.4
41.82
±
5.7
4.90
0.93
(0.74---0.98)
0.53
CADAT (Push-off
min−1)
53.4
±
6.9
53.7
±
8.5
3.47
0.97
(0.89---0.99)
−0.30
HRDP
(bpm)
175
±
11.2
171
±
5.8
3.26
0.72
(0.06---0.93)
3.83
VEAT (l
min−1)
77.9
±
8.9
75.9
±
10.2
8.90
0.68
(−0.20
to
0.92)
2.03
RPEAT 15.6
±
1.4
15.4
±
1.4
2.84
0.95
(0.80---0.98)
0.20
CVTEM(%)
=
typical
error
of
measure
expressed
as
coefficient
of
variation;
ICC
=
intraclass
correlation
coefficient;
VO2max
=
maximal
oxygen
uptake;
HRmax
=
maximal
heart
rate;
VEmax
=
maximal
ventilation;
CADmax
=
maximal
cadence;
RERmax
=
maximal
respiratory
exchange
ratio;
[Lac]max
=
maximal
lactate
concentration;
RPEmax
=
maximal
rate
of
perceived
exertion;
VO2AT =
oxygen
uptake
at
AT;
CADAT =
cadence
at
AT;
HRDP
=
heart
rate
deflection
point;
VEAT =
ventilation
at
AT;
RPEAT =
rate
of
perceived
exertion
at
AT.
expressed
as
coefficient
of
variation
(CVTEM).
The
ICCs
were
interpreted
as
follows:
0.90---0.99
as
high
reliability;
0.80---0.89
as
good
reliability;
0.70---0.79
as
fair
reliability;
and
<0.69
as
poor
reliability.18 Pearson’s
correlations
were
used
to
examine
the
relationships
between
cycle
ergometer
and
SB
tests.
The
following
criterion
was
adopted
for
inter-
preting
the
magnitude
of
correlation
between
variables:
<0.1
as
trivial;
0.11---0.3
as
small;
0.31---0.5
as
moderate;
0.51---0.7
as
large;
0.71---0.9
as
very
large;
and
0.91---1.0
as
almost
perfect.19 Statistical
analysis
was
conducted
using
Statistical
Package
for
Social
Sciences
(SPSS
Inc.
v.17.0,
Chicago,
USA)
and
the
confidence
level
was
set
at
5%.
Results
During
the
SB
protocol,
all
participants
reached
at
least
three
of
five
criteria
for
VO2max
attainment,
accord-
ing
to
Howley
et
al.,11 7/10
subjects
attained
a
VO2max
plateau,
7/10
attained
predicted
HRmax,
9/10
achieved
an
RER
≥
1.1,
9/10
achieved
[Lac]
≥
8
mmol
l−1,
and
3/10
attained
an
RPE
of
18.
Table
1
shows
test---retest
reliability
scores
of
the
max-
imal
and
submaximal
variables.
No
significant
differences
were
found
between
VT
and
HRDP
method
for
all
variables
analysed
during
test
and
retest.
In
this
sense,
the
submaxi-
mal
values
related
to
the
HRDP
were
used
for
the
following
50 60 30 40 50 60 70
46
4
2
–2
–4
–6
0
2
0
–2
–4
70
Average CADmax (ppm)
Difference CADmax (ppm)
Difference VE (l.min–1)
Average VE (l.min–1) Average [Lac] (mmol.I–1
)
Difference [Lac] (mmol.I–1)Difference VO2max (ml.kg–1.min–1)
Average VO2max (ml.kg–1.min–1)
80 90
80
40
3
2
0
–1
–2
1
20
–20
–40
0
100
120
140
160 610 1412
8
Figure
2
Bland---Altman
plots
showing
the
agreement
between
test
and
retest
in
SB
sessions
for
VO2max,
CADmax,
VEmax
and
[Lac]max.
Solid
line
=
bias;
dashed
lines
=
95%
limits
of
agreement.
Document downloaded from http://www.apunts.org, day 12/06/2015. This copy is for personal use. Any transmission of this document by any media or format is strictly prohibited.

A
novel
incremental
slide
board
test
for
speed
skaters
61
analysis
to
be
considered
as
a
more
practical
application.
No
significant
differences
were
found
between
test
and
retest
values
for
all
variables
analysed.
All
data
analysed
presented
homoscedasticity.
The
results
show
low
within-individual
variation,
very
low
bias
and
high
reliability
for
VO2,
HR
and
CAD
maximal
values.
Maximal
and
submaximal
values
of
VE
and
RER
showed
poor
reliability.
Fig.
2
illustrates
the
Bland---Altman
plots
for
the
reliability
analysis
for
some
of
the
maximal
variables.
No
significant
differences
for
maximal
VO2,
VE,
RER
and
RPE
values
(Table
2)
were
found
between
cycling
and
SB
tests.
Regarding
the
submaximal
values
obtained
during
SB,
only
RPEAT were
significantly
different
(p
<
0.01)
compared
to
cycling
test.
Large
correlations
were
found
between
cycling
and
SB
for
VO2max,
HRmax,
CADmax,
VOAT and
CADAT .
The
relationship
between
the
performance
on
SB
(VO2max)
and
the
maximal
cadence
reached
during
SB
(CAD-
max)
are
shown
in
Fig.
3.
Discussion
The
first
aim
of
this
study
was
to
evaluate
the
reliability
of
physiological
measures
during
SB
testing,
which
mim-
ics
the
skating
gesture.
No
differences
were
found
for
all
maximal
variables
between
test
and
retest
trials.
In
general,
the
reliability
scores
obtained
from
the
SB
test
showed
that
it
is
a
practical
and
consistent
incremental
test.
The
VO2max,
HRmax,
CADmax,
CAD
and
RPE
submaximal
measures
showed
the
highest
test---retest
reliability
scores
(ICC
>
0.9;
CVTEM <
3.5%,
Table
1).
Considering
most
maximal
variables,
within-individual
variations
(TEM)
between
test
and
retest
were
smaller
than
those
found
for
similar
proto-
cols
in
cycle
ergometer9,20 and
field
hockey
skating
test.21
Also
the
Within-participants
variation
is
the
most
important
analysis
when
considering
the
reliability
of
measurements,
because
it
affects
the
estimates
precision
of
change
in
the
50
40
45
55
60
65
50
55 60 65 70
CADmax (ppm)
VO2max (ml.kg–1.min–1)
75
r=0.89
P<0.01
80 85
Figure
3
Relationship
between
VO2max
and
CADmax
obtained
on
SB
incremental
test.
variable
of
an
experimental
study.17 From
a
practical
point
of
view,
Hopkins17 pointed
out
that
about
1.5---2.0
times
the
typical
error
could
be
used
as
a
threshold
above
which
any
individual
change
would
be
interpreted
as
‘‘real’’
following
an
intervention.
For
instance,
considering
the
CVTEM value
found
for
the
CADmax
(e.g.
1.2%),
this
threshold
would
be
around
2.4%.
Comparisons
between
the
SB
test
and
cycling
test
indi-
cate
higher
[Lac]max
values
and
lower
RPEAT during
SB
protocol
compared
with
cycling
(Table
2).
Most
partici-
pants
reached
a
slightly
lower
maximal
and
submaximal
VO2
and
VE
values
and
higher
HR
during
SB
protocol.
Further-
more,
significant
correlations
for
VO2max,
HRmax,
CADmax,
VO2AT and
CADAT values
exist
between
SB
and
cycle
ergome-
ter
protocols.
There
is
data
in
the
literature
comparing
the
physiological
parameters
amongst
skating,
cycling
and
Table
2
Comparison
and
correlation
values
of
maximal
and
submaximal
variables
(mean
±
SD)
between
SB
and
cycling
protocols.
SB
Cycling
r
VO2max
(ml
kg−1min−1)
47.5
±
7.7
48.4
±
8.8
0.91b
HRmax
(bpm)
190.9
±
8.9
190
±
10
0.87b
RERmax
1.21
±
0.12
1.29
±
0.1
0.22
VEmax
(l
min−1)
115.07
±
21.4
127.4
±
18
0.40
CADmax
(Push-off
min−1)
64.0
±
9.3
127.0
±
20.5
0.83b
[Lac]max
(mmol
l−1)
10.3
±
1.9
13.4
±
2.3a0.60
RPEmax 17.2
±
0.6
17.3
±
0.48
0.52
VO2AT (ml
kg−1min−1)
42.35
±
5.4
44.1
±
6.4
0.90b
CADAT (Push-off
min−1)c53.4
±
6.9
103
±
14.9
0.80b
HRDP
(bpm)
175
±
11.2
172.6
±
12.2
0.32
VEAT (l
min−1)
77.9
±
8.9
88.3
±
21.1
0.50
RPEAT 15.6
±
1.4
14.6
±
1.5a0.54
CADAT (%max)
88.4
±
4.6
81.7
±
8.2
0.50
aSignificant
difference
(p
<
0.05).
bSignificant
correlation
(p
<
0.05).
cCadence
values
not
compared
due
to
different
units.
VO2max
=
maximal
oxygen
uptake;
HRmax
=
maximal
heart
rate;
VEmax
=
maximal
ventilation;
CADmax
=
maximal
cadence;
RERmax
=
maximal
respiratory
exchange
ratio;
[Lac]max
=
maximal
lactate
concentration;
RPE-
max
=
maximal
rate
of
perceived
exertion;
VO2AT =
oxygen
uptake
at
AT;
CADAT =
cadence
at
AT;
HRDP
=
heart
rate
deflection
point;
VEAT =
ventilation
at
AT;
RPEAT =
rate
of
perceived
exertion
at
AT.
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62
T.
Piucco
et
al.
running
activities.6,7,22---25 Despite
some
differences,
cycling
parameters
seem
to
be
more
similar
to
skating
activity
than
running.23,24 Furthermore,
the
testing
protocol
design
can
also
affect
physiological
responses
during
exercise.26
Cadence
vs.
workload
incremental
cycling
tests
show
differ-
ences
in
peak
workloads.
However,
both
protocols
produce
similar
peak
VO2values,
which
reflect
on
a
lower
cycling
economy
during
cadence-increase
protocols.9
The
findings
of
the
present
study
are
consistent
with
the
previous
investigations
of
Foster
et
al.25 and
Snyder
et
al.23
that
have
demonstrated
lower
VO2,
VE
and
RER
values
and
higher
HR
and
[Lac]
values
during
treadmill
skating
pro-
tocol
when
comparing
with
cycling
exercise.
Krieg
et
al.6
also
found
lower
VO2max
and
higher
HR
and
[Lac]
values
during
skating
when
compared
to
cycle
testing,
but
higher
submaximal
VO2and
RER
associated
with
a
fixed
[Lac]
of
4
mmol
l−1.
Perhaps
the
field
skating
test
conditions
in
Krieg
et
al.’s6study
could
explain
those
differences,
because
the
asphalt
friction
coefficient
and
skating
variables
such
as
uncontrolled
posture,
stride
frequency,
glide
and
push-off
duration,
crossover
stride,
can
alter
physiological
responses
between
treadmill
and
field
skating.27 Also,
Krieg
et
al.6
utilised
a
discontinuous
protocol
and
the
[Lac]
could
be
decreased
due
to
the
exercise
interruptions,
and
as
well
the
lactate
vs.
VO2relationship.
Other
possible
explanations
for
the
lower
VO2max
attained
during
skating
exercise
can
be
related
to
both
a
smaller
active
muscle
mass
and
to
a
restriction
of
mus-
cle
blood
flow
during
skating
when
compared
to
cycling.7,25
These
conditions
depend
on
skating
posture,
surface
char-
acteristics
and
skater
motor
skill.6,28 A
lower
skater
body
position
induces
a
greater
reduction
in
VO2max,
consistent
with
a
reduction
in
muscle
blood
flow
secondary
to
high
intramuscular
forces
during
skating
exercise.25
High
intramuscular
forces
could
also
explain
the
high
HR
during
skating,
since
it
might
lead
to
a
disproportionate
increase
in
HR
relative
to
VO2.
Such
situation
is
frequently
observed
during
resistance
training
or
attributable
to
the
activated
muscle
ischaemia
and
an
increase
in
systemic
arterial
pressure.29 This
is
consistent
with
the
concept
that
the
high
forces
within
the
muscle
act
to
compress
the
smaller
arterioles
thereby
increasing
the
HR
during
skat-
ing.
For
submaximal
comparisons
between
cycling
and
SB
modalities,
we
chose
to
use
the
HRDP
as
an
aerobic
index
to
access
the
AT.
The
HRDP
has
potential
to
be
used
for
training
regulation
purposes
due
to
its
feasibility.
The
results
indi-
cate
similar
values
for
VO2,
HR
and
VE
at
AT.
Further,
the
cadence
at
AT
found
for
each
ergometer
was
significantly
correlated
(Table
2).
This
result
suggests
that
HRDP
occurred
at
the
same
relative
intensity
when
compared
cycling
and
SB
exercises,
and
this
index
could
be
a
viable
method
to
prescribe
submaximal
intensity
during
SB
training.
The
high
relationship
score
(r
=
0.89)
found
between
CADmax
and
VO2max
relationship
(Fig.
3)
also
suggest
that
the
maximal
cadence
or
stage
reached
during
the
test
can
be
an
indirect
index
to
indicate
training
level.
Since
board
skating
evokes
much
more
specific
physiolog-
ical
and
biomechanical
responses,30 it
can
be
used
not
only
for
testing,
but
for
training
purposes
as
well.
Highly
fit
indi-
viduals
may
require
a
higher
training
stimulus
to
achieve
a
significant
training
effect,
and
SB
skating
could
be
used
to
perform
interval-training
sessions.
Intensity
is
easily
manip-
ulated
by
changes
in
cadence
or
by
increasing
the
friction
coefficient
on
the
board
surface.
However,
intervention-
based
studies
are
necessary
in
order
to
better
understand
the
likely
benefits
applied
to
SB
training
compared
to
actual
skating
movement.
The
good
agreement
between
test---retest
data
suggests
that
the
SB
incremental
test
is
reliable.
Furthermore,
the
large
correlations
and
the
lack
of
differences
in
the
phys-
iological
variables
between
the
SB
skating
and
cycling
protocols
suggest
that
the
SB
test
is
valid
and
adequate
to
evaluate
aerobic
indices
of
performance
in
speed
skaters.
Therefore,
the
use
of
indirect
indices,
i.e.
HRDP
and
CAD-
max,
to
identify
the
exercise
intensities
and
training
level
has
a
more
practical
application
for
coaches
and
may
provide
a
more
feasible
alternative
to
laboratory-based
tests
when
a
large
number
of
athletes
need
to
be
monitored
for
changes
in
performance
and
fitness
over
a
competitive
sea-
son.
Future
studies
are
necessary
to
better
understand
the
biomechanics
and
physiology
of
slide
board
skating
move-
ment
and
its
similarity
with
skating
movement.
Conflict
of
interest
Authors
declare
that
they
do
not
have
any
conflict
of
inter-
ests.
Acknowledgments
The
authors
wish
to
acknowledge
and
thank
the
volunteer
athletes
of
Santa
Catarina’s
Federation
of
Hockey
and
Skat-
ing
(FCHP)
for
their
cooperation.
This
work
was
supported
by
the
CAPES
Brazil
Agency.
References
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JJ,
van
Ingen
Schenau
GJ.
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