Steeper or Faster? Tactical Dispositions to Minimize Oxygen Cost in Ski Mountaineering

PURPOSE: Investigate the effect of speed, inclination, and use of heel elevator on the oxygen cost of vertical climbing (C(vert)) in ski mountaineering. METHODS: In this study, 19 participants who were (3 women and 16 men) moderate- to well-trained recreational Norwegian ski mountaineers were involved. All participants were tested for VO(2max) in running, and in a ski mountaineering test on a treadmill, to assess C(vert). The test protocol consisted of 12 4 min work periods at different inclinations from 13 to 23°, with continuous VO(2) measurements. After every second work period, the inclination increased by 2°, and speed was decreased accordingly. The speed reduction was based on the equation V(vert) = speed · sin(α), where α represents the angle of inclination. V(vert) was thus held constant for each work period (854 m·h(−1)). All work periods were completed twice, with and without a heel elevator. Half of the subjects started with the smallest inclination, and the other half started with the steepest inclination. RESULTS: The results showed that C(vert) was unchanged at all inclinations except 13°, where there was a significantly higher C(vert), at the same V(vert). Only at 13°, C(vert) was higher with the use of heel elevator. There was also a significant trend indicating lower C(vert) with use of heel elevator with steeper inclination. CONCLUSIONS: There seemed to be nothing to gain by choosing detours if the inclination was 13° or less. The use of heel elevator was more advantageous, the steeper the inclination, but at 13° there was a negative effect of using heel elevator.