Artificially induced altitudes aerobic and anaerobic performance differences on double-poling ergometer in elite young cross-country skiers

Background The key factors for cross-country skier training are high-altitude acclimatization and strength in double-polling. This study aimed to identify the effects of artificially induced high altitude on acute performance changes during aerobic (AE) and anaerobic (ANE) threshold exercises. Sport-specific tests simulating double-poling cross-country skiing were performed. Methods Eleven (8 ♂ and 3 ♀) highly trained cross-country skiers (age 19±2.81, BMI 21.9±2.1) performed a stress test to determine individual AE and ANE levels and AE and ANE intensity tests at low (500m ASL) and artificially induced high (2000m ASL) altitudes. The altitude was simulated using the hypoxic generator HYP-100™. For double-poling, the ergometer SkiErg^® was used in the standing position. Heart rate (HR) and lactate concentration (LC) in the capillary blood were monitored. Results For the AE and ANE loads, the average HR values at an artificially induced high altitude were 3–5% higher than those at a low altitude. The differences were significant, both statistically (p<0.05) and substantively. The average LC values were neither statistically significant (p>0.05) nor substantively significant. Conclusions Not-adapted youth elite cross-country skiers have higher HR at artificially induced high altitudes than for the same load in lowlands. The absence of alterations in the average LC confirms that it is more appropriate to monitor the HR for altitude acute effect assessment and employ LC only for verification.