Cardiovascular Adaptations to Four Months Training in Middle-Aged Amateur Long-Distance Skiers

The Relationship between Inflammatory Factors, Hemoglobin, and VO2 Max in Male Amateur Long-Distance Cross-Country Skiers in the Preparation Period

Background: Identifying factors affecting heart health in amateur athletes can significantly impact their health and help them achieve high performance. The current knowledge of these predictors is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to identify the biochemical determinants of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) in male amateur long-distance cross-country skiers (37.9 ± 6.58 years, 51.08 ± 4.61 VO2 max ml/kg/min) in the preparation period. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a time trial test was used to determine VO2 max and venous blood via biochemical markers. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the data. The regression model determined the predictors. Results: VO2 max was significantly correlated with nine moderate or weak variables. Two regression models (R2 = 0.94 and R2 = 0.9) each identified two determinants of VO2 max, hemoglobin (p < 0.001) and C-reactive protein (p < 0.001), as well as erythrocyte sedimentation (p < 0.001) and platelets (p = 0.03). Only hemoglobin positive affected VO2 max. Conclusions: The results may indicate, in addition to results regarding hemoglobin concentration and its changes, the necessity to monitor the immune system, which may affect the capacity for amateur exercise. Biochemical monitoring is an essential tool for evaluating the individual adaptation to exercise and developing an effective training plan. The application of this knowledge can facilitate the achievement of optimal individual performance capabilities among cross-country skiing amateurs.

Physiological Aspects of World Elite Competitive German Winter Sport Athletes

Nine Ski mountaineering (Ski-Mo), ten Nordic-Cross Country (NCC) and twelve world elite biathlon (Bia) athletes were evaluated for cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) performance as the primary aim of our descriptive preliminary report. A multicenter retrospective analysis of CPET data was performed in 31 elite winter sports athletes, which were obtained in 2021 during the annual medical examination. The matched data of the elite winter sports athletes (14 women, 17 male athletes, age: 18–32 years) were compared for different CPET parameters, and athlete’s physique data and sport-specific training schedules. All athletes showed, as estimated in elite winter sport athletes, excellent performance data in the CPET analyses. Significant differences were revealed for VE _VT2 (respiratory minute volume at the second ventilatory threshold (VT2)), highest maximum respiratory minute volume (VE_maximum), the indexed ventilatory oxygen uptake (VO₂) at VT2 (VO₂/kg _VT2), the oxygen pulse at VT2, and the maximum oxygen pulse level between the three professional winter sports disciplines. This report provides new evidence that in different world elite winter sport professionals, significant differences in CPET parameters can be demonstrated, against the background of athlete’s physique as well as training control and frequency.

Physiological and Somatic Principal Components Determining VO2max in the Annual Training Cycle of Endurance Athletes

The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of training on the physiological variables achieved during the test effort in the macrocycle of road cyclists and their use in the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) prediction at individual training stages in the VO2max test. Nine well-trained male cyclists (age 25.6 ± 5.2 years and body weight 72.4 ± 7.35 kg) participated in the study and each phase of the macrocycle was followed by a time to exhaustion test (TTE) on the bicycle ergometer. The research showed that training loads significantly influence the maximum power (PPO), ventilation (VE) in the preparatory period (T1), time of the test (TTmax) at the start of the competition period (T2), percentage of body fat in total body weight (%FAT) and skeletal muscle mass (MMS) during the competition period (T3). Of the 16 variables taken for the analysis of the principal components (PC), the regression model determined one principal variable responsible for VO2max in the training macrocycle of cyclists, the relative value of maximum power (PPORV) and the accompanying variables in individual periods: breathing frequency (BF), delta blood lactate concentration (ΔLA), body fat (FAT) and MMS. Determining PC influencing the exercise capacity can be crucial in achieving the intended goals by athletes. Monitoring these indicators can help protect the health of professional athletes and provide guidelines in the training process, stimulate the body properly while protecting against overtraining.

Determinants of the Cardiovascular Capacity of Amateur Long-Distance Skiers during the Transition Period

The aim of this study was to identify determinants of the cardiovascular capacity of 16 male amateur long-distance skiers during the transition period. These factors can vary from amateur marathon skiers, who represent a sort of midpoint between inactive people and professional athletes. Cardiovascular capacity depends mainly on the volume and intensity of the training, which are different between these groups. Finding the factors affecting heart condition of amateur athletes can be an important element in their health care and can help the athletes to achieve their full performance potential. Therefore, ergospirometric and hematological tests were performed. As a result, predictors for volume oxygen uptake were determined using a regression model, which included the following variables: the percentage of monocytes (p = 0.031), the concentration of sodium (p = 0.004), and total calcium (p = 0.03). All these parameters negatively affected VO2 max. Biochemical and physiological monitoring of amateur athletes can help to protect their health and prepare them properly for their training. The growing popularity of long-distance competitions among middle-aged amateur athletes and the lack of guidance on how to assess their health indicate the need for further research.