Abstract des Autors

The present study was undertaken in an effort to estimate the selected parameters of physical fitness in the orienteers from the Polish National Team and to determine changes in these parameters during the last 6 years. The test exercise employed in this investigation consisted of running with an increasing speed on a mechanical treadmill until exhaustion. Maximal values of the following parameters were recorded or calculated based on the obtained indices: heart rate (HRmax), oxygen intake (VO2max), pulmonary ventilation (VEmax), running speed (Vmax), and blood lactate concentration (LAmax); the anaerobic threshold values of some of these parameters (HR-AT, VO2-AT, and V-AT) were also recorded or calculated. Mean VO2max (expressed in ml/kg/min) obtained for the most successful athletes were as follows: 76.6+/-4.8 in male seniors, 71.5+/-4.5 in male juniors, 64.1+/-3.6 in female seniors and 63.1+/-3.0 in female juniors. While the physical efficiency of the senior male orienteers tested in the present study appeared to be better than that of the junior male athletes, no similar difference could be detected between the senior and junior females. As compared to 1993, the VO2max values in the male senior and junior orienteers and the VO2-ATvalues in the male junior orienteers were lower in 1997 and 1996, respectively. No significant differences, however, were recorded between the mean Vmax and V-ATvalues. No significant differences in the tested parameters could be detected between the junior and senior females. Verf.-Referat