Physiological and biomechanical comparison of roller skating and speed skating on ice

Eight well trained marathon skaters performed all-out exercise tests during speed skating on ice and roller skating. To compare these skating activities in relation to the concept of training specificity, relevant physiological (VO2, VE, RER and heart rate) and biomechanical variables (derived from film and video analysis) were measured. There were no significant differences between oxygen uptake (50.5 +/- 8.0 and 53.3 +/- 6.7 ml.min-1.kg-1), ventilation (102.4 +/- 11.2 and 116.0 +/- 11.1 1.min-1) or heart rate (174 +/- 12.2 and 176 +/- 14.5 min-1) between speed and roller skating. In roller skating a higher RER (1.16 +/- 0.1 cf. 1.05 +/- 0.1) was found. Power, work per stroke and stroke frequency were equal. Due to a higher coefficient of friction the maximal roller skating speed was lower. The effectiveness of push-off and parameters concerning the skating techniques showed no differences. In roller skating a 7.5% higher angle of the upper leg in the gliding phase occurred. It is speculated that the blood flow through the extensor muscles might be higher in roller skating. It is concluded that roller skating can be considered as a specific training method which may be used by trained speed skaters in the summer period.