Abstract
Attempting to achieve the high diversity of training goals in modern competitive alpine skiing simultaneously can be difficult and may lead to compromised overall adaptation. Therefore, we investigated the effect of block training periodization on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and parameters of exercise performance in elite junior alpine skiers. Six female and 15 male athletes were assigned to high-intensity interval (IT, N = 13) or control training groups (CT, N = 8). IT performed 15 high-intensity aerobic interval (HIT) sessions in 11 days. Sessions were 4 × 4 min at 90–95% of maximal heart rate separated by 3-min recovery periods. CT continued their conventionally mixed training, containing endurance and strength sessions. Before and 7 days after training, subjects performed a ramp incremental test followed by a high-intensity time-to-exhaustion (tlim) test both on a cycle ergometer, a 90-s high-box jump test as well as countermovement (CMJ) and squat jumps (SJ) on a force plate. IT significantly improved relative VO2max by 6.0% (P < 0.01; male +7.5%, female +2.1%), relative peak power output by 5.5% (P < 0.01) and power output at ventilatory threshold 2 by 9.6% (P < 0.01). No changes occurred for these measures in CT. tlim remained unchanged in both groups. High-box jump performance was significantly improved in males of IT only (4.9%, P < 0.05). Jump peak power (CMJ −4.8%, SJ −4.1%; P < 0.01), but not height decreased in IT only. For competitive alpine skiers, block periodization of HIT offers a promising way to efficiently improve VO2max and performance. Compromised explosive jump performance might be associated with persisting muscle fatigue.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andersen RE, Montgomery DL (1988) Physiology of alpine skiing. Sports Med (Auckland, NZ 6:210–221
Andersson H, Raastad T, Nilsson J, Paulsen G, Garthe I, Kadi F (2008) Neuromuscular fatigue and recovery in elite female soccer: effects of active recovery. Med Sci Sports Exerc 40:372–380
Billat LV (2001) Interval training for performance: a scientific and empirical practice. Special recommendations for middle- and long-distance running. Part I: aerobic interval training. Sports Med (Auckland, NZ) 31:13–31
Billat VL, Flechet B, Petit B, Muriaux G, Koralsztein JP (1999) Interval training at VO2max: effects on aerobic performance and overtraining markers. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:156–163
Brown SL, Wilkinson JG (1983) Characteristics of national, divisional, and club male alpine ski racers. Med Sci Sports Exerc 15:491–495
Carter J, Jeukendrup AE (2002) Validity and reliability of three commercially available breath-by-breath respiratory systems. Eur J Appl Physiol 86:435–441
Coutts AJ, Reaburn P, Piva TJ, Rowsell GJ (2007) Monitoring for overreaching in rugby league players. Eur J Appl Physiol 99:313–324
Foster C, Florhaug JA, Franklin J, Gottschall L, Hrovatin LA, Parker S, Doleshal P, Dodge C (2001) A new approach to monitoring exercise training. J Strength Cond Res 15:109–115
Gaskill SE, Ruby BC, Walker AJ, Sanchez OA, Serfass RC, Leon AS (2001) Validity and reliability of combining three methods to determine ventilatory threshold. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:1841–1848
Glowacki SP, Martin SE, Maurer A, Baek W, Green JS, Crouse SF (2004) Effects of resistance, endurance, and concurrent exercise on training outcomes in men. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36:2119–2127
Gross M, Swensen T, King D (2007) Nonconsecutive- versus consecutive-day high-intensity interval training in cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:1666–1671
Halson SL, Bridge MW, Meeusen R, Busschaert B, Gleeson M, Jones DA, Jeukendrup AE (2002) Time course of performance changes and fatigue markers during intensified training in trained cyclists. J Appl Physiol Resp Environ Exerc Physiol 93:947–956
Helgerud J, Engen LC, Wisloff U, Hoff J (2001) Aerobic endurance training improves soccer performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:1925–1931
Helgerud J, Hoydal K, Wang E, Karlsen T, Berg P, Bjerkaas M, Simonsen T, Helgesen C, Hjorth N, Bach R, Hoff J (2007) Aerobic high-intensity intervals improve VO2max more than moderate training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:665–671
Hodges LD, Brodie DA, Bromley PD (2005) Validity and reliability of selected commercially available metabolic analyzer systems. Scand J Med Sci Sports 15:271–279
Hoff J, Wisloff U, Engen LC, Kemi OJ, Helgerud J (2002) Soccer specific aerobic endurance training. Br J Sports Med 36:218–221
Issurin V (2008) Block periodization versus traditional training theory: a review. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 48:65–75
Jackson AS, Pollock ML (1978) Generalized equations for predicting body density of men. Br J Nutr 40:497–504
Jackson AS, Pollock ML, Ward A (1980) Generalized equations for predicting body density of women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 12:175–181
Karlsson J, Eriksson A, Forsberg A, Kjällberg L, Tesch P (1978) Physiology of alpine skiing. United States Ski Coaches Association, Park City
Koutedakis Y, Boreham C, Kabitsis C, Sharp NC (1992) Seasonal deterioration of selected physiological variables in elite male skiers. Int J Sports Med 13:548–551
Laursen PB, Jenkins DG (2002) The scientific basis for high-intensity interval training: optimising training programmes and maximising performance in highly trained endurance athletes. Sports Med (Auckland, NZ 32:53–73
Laursen PB, Shing CM, Peake JM, Coombes JS, Jenkins DG (2002) Interval training program optimization in highly trained endurance cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc 34:1801–1807
Laursen PB, Shing CM, Peake JM, Coombes JS, Jenkins DG (2005) Influence of high-intensity interval training on adaptations in well-trained cyclists. J Strength Cond Res 19:527–533
Lebrun CM, Rumball JS (2001) Relationship between athletic performance and menstrual cycle. Curr Womens Health Rep 1:232–240
Lebrun CM, McKenzie DC, Prior JC, Taunton JE (1995) Effects of menstrual cycle phase on athletic performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27:437–444
Lewis DA, Kamon E, Hodgson JL (1986) Physiological differences between genders. Implications for sports conditioning. Sports Med (Auckland, NZ 3:357–369
Lindsay FH, Hawley JA, Myburgh KH, Schomer HH, Noakes TD, Dennis SC (1996) Improved athletic performance in highly trained cyclists after interval training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 28:1427–1434
Londeree BR (1997) Effect of training on lactate/ventilatory thresholds: a meta-analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc 29:837–843
Martinez ML, Ibanez Santos J, Grijalba A, Santesteban MD, Gorostiaga EM (1993) Physiological comparison of roller skating, treadmill running and ergometer cycling. Int J Sports Med 14:72–77
McMillan K, Helgerud J, Macdonald R, Hoff J (2005) Physiological adaptations to soccer specific endurance training in professional youth soccer players. Br J Sports Med 39:273–277
Midgley AW, McNaughton LR, Wilkinson M (2006) Is there an optimal training intensity for enhancing the maximal oxygen uptake of distance runners?: empirical research findings, current opinions, physiological rationale and practical recommendations. Sports Med (Auckland, NZ 36:117–132
Myburgh KH (2003) What makes an endurance athlete world-class? Not simply a physiological conundrum. Comp Biochem Physiol 136:171–190
Nader GA (2006) Concurrent strength and endurance training: from molecules to man. Med Sci Sports Exerc 38:1965–1970
Neumayr G, Hoertnagl H, Pfister R, Koller A, Eibl G, Raas E (2003) Physical and physiological factors associated with success in professional alpine skiing. Int J Sports Med 24:571–575
Pyne D, Touretski G (1993) An analysis of the training of Olympic Sprint Champion Alexandre Popov. Aust Swim Coach 10:5–14
Rusko H, Havu M, Karvinen E (1978) Aerobic performance capacity in athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 38:151–159
Smith TP, McNaughton LR, Marshall KJ (1999) Effects of 4-wk training using V max/T max on VO2max and performance in athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:892–896
Stepto NK, Hawley JA, Dennis SC, Hopkins WG (1999) Effects of different interval-training programs on cycling time-trial performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:736–741
Stolen T, Chamari K, Castagna C, Wisloff U (2005) Physiology of soccer: an update. Sports Med (Auckland, NZ 35:501–536
Tesch PA (1995) Aspects on muscle properties and use in competitive Alpine skiing. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27:310–314
Veicsteinas A, Ferretti G, Margonato V, Rosa G, Tagliabue D (1984) Energy cost of and energy sources for alpine skiing in top athletes. J Appl Physiol 56:1187–1190
Vogt M, Puntschart A, Angermann M, Jordan K, Spring H, Müller E, Hoppeler H (2005) Metabolic consequences of competitive slalom training in junior alpine skiers. Leistungssport 2:48–54
Weber CL, Schneider DA (2002) Increases in maximal accumulated oxygen deficit after high-intensity interval training are not gender dependent. J Appl Physiol Resp Environ Exerc Physiol 92:1795–1801
Welsh TT, Alemany JA, Montain SJ, Frykman PN, Tuckow AP, Young AJ, Nindl BC (2008) Effects of intensified military field training on jumping performance. Int J Sports Med 29:45–52
Westgarth-Taylor C, Hawley JA, Rickard S, Myburgh KH, Noakes TD, Dennis SC (1997) Metabolic and performance adaptations to interval training in endurance-trained cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol 75:298–304
Zavorsky GS (2000) Evidence and possible mechanisms of altered maximum heart rate with endurance training and tapering. Sports Med (Auckland, NZ) 29:13–26
Acknowledgments
This project was supported by the Swiss Federal Sport Commission (Project-Nr. 08–04) and by the University of Bern, Switzerland. We especially thank Dr. med Roger Steiner for his contribution as medical supervisor throughout the study and Micah Gross for editorial proof-reading of the manuscript.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Communicated by Susan Ward.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Breil, F.A., Weber, S.N., Koller, S. et al. Block training periodization in alpine skiing: effects of 11-day HIT on VO2max and performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 109, 1077–1086 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1455-1
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1455-1