Ventilatory response pattern of Nordic skiers during simulated poling

Cross-country ski poling is a distinctive exercise imposed by biomechanical motion which may influence the breathing pattern. To examine the ventilatory patterns of competitive cross-country skiers, the pulmonary function of nine male master level skiers was studied during simulated bilateral synchronous and asynchronous arm poling and upright leg cycling. Physiological and ventilatory responses during arm and leg exercise were compared on a Biokinetic arm ergometer and Monark bicycle. At similar levels of oxygen consumption, minute ventilation (VE) was lower for leg cycling than for the arm exercise modes. Heart rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) during bilateral synchronous poling than for either bilateral asynchronous poling or leg cycling. Leg cycling elicited a higher tidal volume (VT) than either of the arm poling modes (1.8 vs 1.7 and 1.6 l). Breathing frequency (fR) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for both arm exercise modes when compared to leg cycling (41 and 42 vs 27 breaths min-1). Frequency of strokes per breath (fS/fR) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) while cycling compared to synchronous arm work. The mean ratio of fS/fR per minute was 1.1:1 and 1.7:1 for arm exercise and leg cycling, respectively. Bilateral synchronous arm poling invoked a similar VE, lower VT and higher fR than bilateral asynchronous poling or leg cycling. These results demonstrate that ventilatory responses to arm poling are different from those to upright cycle exercise. There was a greater reliance during poling upon fR to maintain VE.