Reliable and sensitive physical testing of elite trapeze sailors

It was investigated whether a newly developed discipline-specific test for elite-level trapeze sailors is reliable and sensitive. Furthermore, the physical demands of trapeze sailing were examined. In part 1, 9 national team athletes were accustomed to a simulated sailing test, which subsequently was completed on 4 occasions to determine test reliability and sensitivity to manipulations in body weight. Rope-pulling mean power output (MPO), oxygen consumption (VO₂ ), heart rate (HR), and blood lactate values were acquired in all trials. In part 2, 6 sailors completed on-water racing with concurrent measurements of VO₂ , HR, and blood lactate. VO_2max was determined during an incremental treadmill running test. Typical error, minimal difference, and ICC for average MPO in the test were 1.3%, 1.7%, and 0.99%, respectively. Adding 4 kg of external body weight caused a decrease in average MPO (270 ± 45W vs 265 ± 45W, P < .05) and an increase in VO₂ (2.44 ± 0.23 L·min^-1 vs 2.55 ± 0.26 L·min^-1 , P < .01). VO₂ , HR, and blood lactate during on-water sailing were 54.5% ± 7.2% VO_2max , 75.1% ± 3.1% HR_max , and 5.8 ± 2.7 mmol·L^-1 , respectively. However, VO₂ and HR were substantially higher for periods of the race as peak values were 83.5% ± 11.4% and 89.9% ± 1.7% of max, respectively. In conclusion, the present test is reliable and sensitive, thus providing a sailing-specific alternative to traditional physical testing of elite trapeze sailors. Additionally, on-water racing requires moderate aerobic energy production, although oxygen consumption can approach maximal levels for short periods of time.