title: Sport-specific assessment of lactate threshold and aerobic capacity throughout a collegiate hockey season.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine lactate threshold (LT) and maximal aerobic capacity with a sport-specific skating protocol throughout a competitive season in collegiate hockey players. We hypothesized that maximal aerobic capacity and skating velocity at LT would increase as the season progressed. Sixteen Division I college hockey players performed a graded exercise skating protocol to fatigue at 3 different times (pre-, mid-, and postseason). Subjects skated for 80 s during each stage, followed by 40 s of rest to allow for blood lactate sampling. Velocity at LT was similar during preseason (4.44 +/- 0.08 m.s-1) and postseason (4.52 +/- 0.05 m.s-1) testing, but was significantly elevated at midseason (4.70 +/- 0.08 m.s-1; p < 0.01), compared with preseason. In contrast, LT as a percentage of maximal heart rate (HRmax) was unchanged throughout the season. HRmax remained constant throughout the season, at approximately 190 beats.min-1. Preseason maximal aerobic capacity (48.7 +/- 0.8 mL.kg-1.min-1) was significantly higher than that at postseason (45.0 +/- 1.1 mL.kg-1.min-1; p < 0.01). In conclusion, skating velocity at LT improved from pre- to midseason, but this adaptation was not maintained at postseason. Additionally, maximal aerobic capacity was reduced from pre- to postseason. These findings suggest a need for aerobic training throughout the college hockey season.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education, Michigan, Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA. jjduroch@mtu.edu
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Durocher
authors.forename: Darin T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Leetun
authors.forename: Jason R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006688:Hockey / Q000502:physiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid