Validation of a maximal incremental skating test performed on a slide board: Comparison with treadmill skating

Purpose: To investigate the criterion validity of a maximal incremental skating test performed on a slide board (SB). Methods: Twelve subelite speed skaters performed a maximal skating test on a treadmill and on a SB. Gas exchange threshold (GET), respiratory compensation point (RCP), andmaximal variables were determined. Results: Oxygen uptake (V-O₂) (31.0 ± 3.2 and 31.4 ± 4.1 mL·min^-1·kg^-1), percentage of maximal V-O₂ (V-O₂ max) (66.3 ± 4 and 67.7 ± 7.1%), HR (153 ± 14 and 150 ± 12 bpm), and ventilation (59.8 ± 11.8 and 57.0 ± 10.7 L·min^-1) at GET, and V-O₂ (42.5 ± 4.4 and 42.9 ± 4.8 mL·min^-1·kg^-1), percentage of V-O₂ max (91.1 ± 3.3 and 92.4 ± 2.1%), heart rate (HR) (178 ± 9 and 178 ± 6 bpm), and ventilation (96.5 ± 19.2 and 92.1 ± 12.7 L·min^-1) at RCP were not different between skating on a treadmill and on a SB. V-O₂ max (46.7 ± 4.4 vs 46.4 ± 6.1 mL·min^-1·kg^-1) and maximal HR (195 ± 6 vs 196 ± 10 bpm) were not significantly different and correlated (r = .80 and r = .87, respectively; P < .05) between the treadmill and SB. V-O₂ at GET, RCP, and V-O2 max obtained on a SB were correlated (r > .8) with athletes' best times on 1500 m. Conclusions: The incremental skating test on a SB was capable to distinguish maximal (V-O₂ and HR) and submaximal (V-O₂, % V-O₂ max, HR, and ventilation) parameters known to determine endurance performance. Therefore, the SB test can be considered as a specific and practical alternative to evaluate speed skaters.