Abstract

The purposes of this study were to determine several physiological responses to maximal treadmill exercise in a sample of Olympic speed skating candidates and to compare the data of those who made the team with those who did not. We also provide data from a similar population studied three Olympiads earlier. The subjects were 19 male speed skaters in training for the 1980 Olympic trials. The data reflect peak responses determined during a multistage treadmill protocol carried to maximal volitional effort. The age range of the subjects was 16-27 years (x = 19.7). The mean peak heart rate was 194 beats/min. Maximal ventilation attained during the last minute of exercise averaged 142.3 liters/min BTPS. The mean V02max was 62.7 ml/kg/min. The Olympians tended to be older and taller with larger peak minute ventilations and aerobic powers. However, the only statistically significant differences were age and V02max expressed as l/min. The current population of Olympic speed skating candidates appear to be more physically fit, based on the differences in V02max, than those studied in 1967. Verf.-Referat