 |
 Member Login » Browse Articles By Date » |
The U.S. Ski Team Narrows Its Focus - More Training, Testing & On-Snow Time
Published: Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:23 PM MDT Updated: Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:05 PM MDT  Chris Cook on the rivet as the treadmill incline keeps increasing one degree a minute during the Vo2 Max testing. With the national men’s sprinters headed to New Zealand and the Continental Cuppers converging in Sun Valley next week, the U.S. Ski Team finished a three day physiology testing camp in Park City Friday. “Every coach has their own goals for this time of year,” said Randy Hill, U.S. Ski Team Physiologist. “Some athletes, it’s been about really nailing down their base, putting the emphasis on volume. This training increases blood volume, heart size, mitochondria, the kinds of things that influence threshold and economy. Others have been working more on building capacity with more intense efforts. “The testing is only as good as the planning that goes into it. To test just to test is senseless. To see what the training has done for an athlete’s physiology, an athlete needs to test, go through a training period (i.e. a volume block) then follow this with testing. Afterwards you see what training has done for an athlete’s physiology. Without an objective, testing is a waste of time.” The battery of tests the national team underwent included Lactate and Vo2Max treadmill tests, lower body force and power tests using force plate technology, along with two double pole tests – one a 30 second effort, the other a 4 minute test. The team also underwent physicals and a fasted blood draw. “For me, the double pole efforts tell me more than the Vo2 test,” said Mr. Hill. Vo2 max is an absolute necessity to get into the club of international skiing. These guys got that card. They’re in the club. Vo2, once you’re at the top level, though, is not that great a predictor of performance. Other indicators like threshold values, or the muscular efficiency to sustain a higher percentage of max heart rate in a race. “At the end of the day though, cross-country skiing is a full body sport. While the upper body makes up about 30% of the power expenditure of skiing, it translates into 70% of a skier’s propulsion. In other words, upper body power is critical.” Chris Cook during the four minute double pole test - measuring average watts and meters traveled:      The national sprint team – Chris Cook, Andrew Newell and Torin Koos – headed out Friday to New Zealand’s South Island. It’s the seventh consecutive year the Waiorau Snow Farm has played host to the U.S. Ski Team for the summer on-snow camp. The Canadian national team already is in the Southern Hemisphere. The two national teams are talking about hooking horns in two time trials - a skate sprint and a ten kilometer classic.  Kevin Hochtl getting after it while doing classic strides as Chris Grover shoots video in the background. Last year Mr. Hochtl joined the National Team for their annual New Zealand ski pilgrimage. The Continental Cup meanwhile meets up July 25th for a ten day volume intensive dryland camp in Sun Valley, Idaho. The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Elite team will train every session with the U.S. development squad. “I’m looking forward to getting twenty of the top Americans together for some volume based focused training,” said Continental Cup coach Matt Whitcomb. “We’ll be doing more bounding and get in a couple adventure runs. We’re also bringing back Team Tuesday. The World Championship of Whiffle Ball Series kicks off with the S.V.S.E.F. taking on the U.S.S.T. I’m looking forward to it.” Andy Newell tackles the four minute double pole test:       Torin Koos is a member of the National A Team for the United States. A World Cup, World Championship and Olympic competitor, Koos brings this experience to the FasterSkier sportscasting arena for the 2007/2008 season. Equipment: Rossignol Skis, Boots and Bindings, Toko gloves and wax, Marwe, Exel poles, Rudy Project Eyewear, Powerbar Home Ski Club: Leavenworth Winter Sports Club (www.skileavenworth.com) Headgear Sponsor: USA Pears (www.usapears.com) Best Western Icicle Inn (www.icicleinn.com) BioSports NorthWest Physical Therapy (www.biosports.net)
|
|
