The modified Dmax method is reliable to predict the second ventilatory threshold in elite cross-country skiers.

This study was designed to evaluate, in elite cross-country skiers, the capacity of the DMAX lactate threshold method and its modified version (DMAX MOD) to accurately predict the second ventilatory threshold (VT2). Twenty-three elite cross-country skiers carried out an incremental roller-ski test on a motorized treadmill. Ventilation, heart rate (HR), and gas exchanges were continuously recorded during the test.

Racing performance and incremental double poling test on treadmill in elite female cross-country skiers.

The national Italian cross-country ski team has been evaluated on the basis of a new double poling cross-country roller skiing incremental test to exhaustion (DP) on a motorized driven treadmill. To verify the capacity of this specific test to predict performance, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (VO2Th), peak treadmill speed, and treadmill speed at anaerobic threshold (Speak and STh, respectively) were measured during the test and correlated with the level of performance of 10 world class Italian female cross-country skiers. The physiological data obtained were also compared with results of an incremental and maximal test carried out by the same athletes but with the diagonal stride (DS) technique.

Adaptations to endurance training in the healthy elderly: arm cranking versus leg cycling.

The effect in healthy elderly subjects of cycle ergometer or arm ergometer training on peak oxygen consumption (VO(2peak)) and ventilatory threshold (VT) was studied. The aim was to determine the benefit of each training modality on specific and cross exercise capacity. The cross-effect was also evaluated as an index of the central nature of the adaptive response to training.

Comparison of the protective effect of formoterol and of salmeterol against exercise-induced bronchospasm when given immediately before a cycloergometric test.

Background: Salmeterol and formoterol, two long-acting beta(2)-adrenergic agonists, have been shown to be effective against exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) several hours after inhalation, but no study has yet compared their protective effect immediately after administration.

Objectives: To compare the protective effect of inhaled formoterol and salmeterol against EIB immediately and 4 h after administration.

Methods: Double-blind, two-period cross-over study of 11 EIB-positive asthmatic subjects (mean age 21.