Training adaptability, physiological reserve, and fatigue recovery in competitive speed skaters. Other
Conditions
Interventions
This is a prospective observational cohort study at a national training centre and university laboratory. All participants follow the same structured 24-week macro–microcycle program with standardized
(b) taper and neuromuscular consolidation phase (8 weeks, including reduced volume, ballistic lifting, and sprint sharpening). Internal and external loads are monitored via session-RPE, GPS/on-ice tim
Sponsors
Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Age between 18 and 25 years 2. Minimum of three continuous years of elite-level speed skating training 3. VO2max = 58.0 mL/kg/min (males) or = 52.0 mL/kg/min (females), measured via graded treadmill test 4. Medical clearance for participation in high-load sport confirmed by team physicians
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Use of medications that modulate cardiovascular, endocrine, or metabolic responses 2. Use of substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency 3. History of diagnosed cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neuromuscular disorders 4. Acute illness (fever >38°C, respiratory infection), musculoskeletal injury (grade =2), or surgery within the past 3 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) measured using a graded treadmill protocol with breath-by-breath gas analysis (MetaMax 3B, Cortex Biophysik GmbH, Germany) at baseline (week 0), mid-phase (week 12), and post-phase (week 24). 2. Lactate threshold (LT) measured using fingertip capillary blood sampling (Biosen C-Line, EKF Diagnostics, Germany) during incremental treadmill test at baseline, week 12, and week 24. 3. Wingate anaerobic peak power (W) measured using a 30-second Wingate test on Monark 894E cycle ergometer at baseline, week 12, and week 24. 4. Countermovement jump (CMJ) height (cm) measured using OptoJump infrared platform (Microgate, Italy) at baseline, week 12, and week 24. 5. Heart rate recovery (HRR-1, bpm) measured using a Polar H10 heart rate sensor at 1 min post-exercise during a graded treadmill test at baseline, week 12, and week 24. 6. Heart rate variability (RMSSD, ms) measured using a Polar H10 sensor with 5 min supine rest and Kubios HRV software at daily intervals throughout the 24-week study | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE, AU) measured using the Borg CR10 scale, recorded 30 minutes after each training session via mobile survey platform, across all 24 study weeks. 2. Subjective readiness (1–10 scale) measured using the McLean single-item readiness scale, recorded before each training session, across all 24 study weeks. 3. Performance Load Ratio (PLR) measured using study data calculated weekly as the ratio of external load (m) to internal load (AU from sRPE × time), tracked weekly from baseline to week 24. 4. Training compliance (%) measured using study data and calculated as percentage of planned sessions completed, and the monotony index calculated as mean daily load ÷ SD daily load, assessed weekly across 24 weeks. 5. HRV suppression rate (%), defined as >20% drop in RMSSD below baseline, and lag response coefficient (days), defined as delay between training load peak and HRV/CMJ suppression, measured using study data weekly across 24 weeks. 6. Biomechanical asymmetry index (%) measured using 3D motion capture (Vicon Nexus, UK) and inertial sensors (Xsens DOT, Netherlands) during 300 m on-ice drills at baseline, week 12, and week 24. 7. Composite Performance Reserve Index (PRI) measured using study data, calculated as integrated score of VO2max, LT, Wingate, CMJ, HRR, and HRV, assessed at baseline, week 12, week 24, and post-taper (week 32). | — |
Countries
China
Contacts
Public ContactShi Donglin
Outcome results
None listed