Abstract

Ten alpine and cross-country skiers performed a 30 s jumping test to assess their anaerobic power (AP), after a rest at room temperature of +20 degree C and an active warm-up (WU) at -20 degree C. The WU procedure consisted of walking on a treadmill with the incline and speed adjusted to 50 or 70 of the maximum heart rate (HRmax). WU was followed by an intermission (T) lasting 1, 5 or 15 min, between the end of WU and the start of jumping test. When WU was performed at 50 HRmax, a 19 increase in AP was observed for T equal to 1 min. The beneficial effect of WU decreased after 5 min to 9 of AP, and to -3 after 15 min. WU at 70 HRmax induced an 18 increase in AP for T=5 min. However, the effect diminished to 11 at T=15 min. It is concluded that an optimal combination of WU intensity and the length of intermission (time to sport event) may be necessary to reach maximum AP in skiers. Thus, for events which may take place just after WU, the intensity of 50 HRmax seems appropriate. When the time between WU and the event is 5 min or slightly more, the intensity of 70 HRmax is recommended. Verf.-Referat