Competitive alpine skiing demands a very high muscle power output over the race duration of 45 to 150 seconds. Required power output is by far in excess of sustainable power levels, hence there is a decline of muscle function, in particular a decrease of available muscle strength, over the course of the race. It would thus seem that it would be of advantage to have the capability of a very high initial power output combined with the capacity to maintain this power output as long as possible over the duration of the race. The latter is in part related to the oxidative capacity of muscle tissue. We will present a perspective of physiological underpinning of modern competitive alpine skiing and indicate the molecular mechanisms involved in the adaptive response to concurrent strength and endurance training. From this, we develop concepts aimed at optimizing the training process in elite alpine skiers in view of conflicting training goals. From a molecular perspective there is evidence that the adaptive response of muscle to strength and endurance training is mediated by different signalling pathways. There is crosstalk between signalling pathways resulting in interference of adaptive signals with competing training stimuli. This can result in an attenuation of the functional response to endurance and/or strength training. Based on this molecular insight and practical experience we demonstrate that block periodization allows for efficient improvement of both strength and endurance in competitive alpine skiers.
© Copyright 2012 Science and Skiing V. 5th International Congress on Science and Skiing, Dec. 14 - 19, 2010, St. Christoph am Arlberg. Published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd.. All rights reserved.