The use of in-line skates has become popular in recent years for recreational and
conditioning purposes. This investigation evaluated the physiological responses of
ten subjects during in-line skating on a flat track with three different in-line skating
techniques. The double pole technique demonstrated the greatest economy with oxygen
up-take requirements that were approximately 12% lower (p < 0.05) than conventional
skating (without poles) or the VI skate technique. Across the investigated velocity
spectrum of 14.6 to 18.0 km·h-1, individuals with an average fitness level of 40 ml·kg-1·min-1 will achieve exercise in-tensities of 68-90% of maximum oxygen uptake using the conventional
skating and V1 skate techniques on flat terrain. These exercise intensities are appropriate
for cardiorespiratory training. However, high fit individuals who are attempting to
elicit a cardiorespiratory training effect using in-line skates with rolling resistances
similar to those tested may need to perform uphill interval work or skate at higher
velocities which may be technically difficult and may be unsafe in some training environments.
Comparison of the present data with previously published data on roller skiing demonstrates
that differences in physiological responses for the two modes of exercise are the
result of differences in rolling resistances between the devices. Measurements of
rolling resistance and comparison of the oxygen uptake requirements for double poling
on both devices allow for the mechanical efficiency to be estimated at approximately
18%) for this mode of locomotion.
In-line skating - roller skiing - cross-country skiing - oxygen uptake - heart rate
- economy - efficiency
