SPORT SCIENCE Garrett Lucash, RFS, RM
Wearable Technology to Monitor Training BY JAS O N V ES COV I
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igure skating is unique as an Olympic sport. The physiological demands of a long program are similar to world-class performances in the mile (Duffield, Dawson, & Goodman, 2005), 3,000 m long track speed skating (Foster, deKoning, Rundell, & Snyder, 2000), and 400 m freestyle swimming (Zacca & de Souza Castro, 2012). Each of these sports last approximately four minutes and places a substantial demand on both the anaerobic and aerobic energy systems. Unlike the other sports, figure skating performances require complex motor skills, much like rhythmic gymnastics, to be performed effortlessly on the ice — all while simultaneously engaging the judges and audience. Top-level athletes from most sports put in a substantial amount of hours training each year (Tønnessen et al., 2014), which translates into about 15-25 hours per week (i.e., duration/volume of training). However, when asked about their training, runners, speed skaters and swimmers are likely to provide details about the number of kilometers run, skated or swam (other indicators of training volume) as well as a fairly accurate breakdown of the proportion of high-intensity (i.e., anaerobic) and low-intensity (i.e., aerobic) work performed. This is important information for how training is planned (periodization) and the design of tapers for peak performances.
The aim of this article is to highlight a few pieces of technology (there are too many available to discuss them all) that I have used regularly with elite figure skaters. I will also share some of the outcomes and discuss how these data can help enhance our ability to train athletes hard… and smart! The two critical training components that can be routinely monitored for figure skaters are the cardiovascular and jumping demands. Figure 1 shows the heart rate during a long program (these look the same regardless of skating discipline and gender) and it is clear the demands are sufficiently high with heart rates hovering between 92-94 of maximum for the majority of the program. As a result, skaters need to perform a certain amount of their weekly training duration/volume working at near maximal intensity in order to become accustomed to those program demands. So, then we need a way to measure the training as well as have defined targets for the amount of high-intensity volume we want our skaters to achieve. The first thing that’s needed is a heart rate monitor. There are a wide range of products on the market, however I have used Polar H10 (NOTE: an important consideration is that heart rate monitors with watches are problematic for pairs and dance teams). Regardless of which brand/ model is used, heart rate monitors allow for the collection of heart rate data during on-ice sessions. The data is classified into different zones based on an individual’s own maximum heart rate. To determine maximal heart rate a graded exercise test is performed under the supervision of an exercise professional (Vescovi & VanHeest, 2018). It is
In contrast, there is a notable absence of knowledge about the duration/volume or intensity that is performed by figure skaters. The lack of, and sometimes resistance to, implementing a systematic approach to monitor the training demands of figure skaters results in a substantial gap for coaches, leaving them with only what they can observe. Fortunately, wearable technologies now exist that Figure 1*. Heart rate during long program. can be incorporated into the daily training environment and provide valuable insights about the training demands of figure skaters. These wearables offer important information about what occurs internally and opens substantial opportunities to enhance the training and ultimately performance of skaters.
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JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2022
