Purpose This study investigates associations between changes in 800 m time trial performance in running or ski ergometer double poling, and changes in physiologic variables after a seven-week observational period. Forty six athletes ranging from recreational to elite level, participated in either a run (RUN) or a ski ergometer (SKI) observational study. Methods The participants performed pre- and post-tests in; 800-m time trial (800TT), 100-m time trial (MSS or MSP), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), oxygen cost of running (CR) or double poling (CDP), time to exhaustion (TTE) at 130% maximal aerobic speed (MAS) or maximal aerobic power (MAP), and maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) in SKI. They also performed one repetition maximum (1RM), half-squat (RUN) or 1RM lat pull-down (SKI). Results Moderate correlations were found between changes in both MAP and maximal strength and changes in 800TT for SKI (r = - 0.51 and r = - 0.51, respectively, p < 0.05). For RUN, MAS and the 0.8 MAS + 0.2 MSS equation correlated (r = - 0.71 and r = - 0.73, respectively, p < 0.01) with 800TT. VO2peak was the most important contributor to MAS improvements (RUN) while CDP was the most important contributor to MAP improvements (SKI). No correlations were found between changes in TTE at 130% MAS or MAP and, or MAOD, and changes in 800TT, for neither RUN nor SKI. The results from the present study suggest focusing on training to improve maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), work economy and maximal sprint speed to improve performance in middle-distance running and ski sprinting.
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