Specific characteristics of speed skating: implications for summer training.

Fourteen well-trained speed skaters performed all-out exercise tests during ice speed skating, low walking (walking-like movement in skating position), and dry skating (side to side deep sitting push-offs). These dry land training activities, widely used by speed skaters during the summer period, are compared to speed skating in relation to the concept of training specificity. Relevant physiological and biomechanical variables (derived from film and video analysis) were measured. The maximal oxygen uptake achieved in low walking (60.0 +/- 5.8 ml.kg-1.min-1) was not significantly different to that achieved during speed skating (62.1 +/- 6.9), but the maximal level attained in dry skating (48.4 +/- 5.5) was significantly less than both of these. The biomechanical differences measured are substantial. The forward directed push-off, the more dynamic movement pattern in hip and knee joints, and the use of plantar flexors during low walking are essentially different from speed skating. In dry skating, a more convulsive movement pattern due to the fixed push-off position compared to speed skating was found. The consequences of the typical skating position on the physiological responses is discussed. It is concluded that neither low walking nor dry skating can be considered as specific training activities for speed skaters.