INTRODUCTION: Physiological parameters of skiing athletes are well described in literature (e.g. Turnbull et al. 2010). Similarly, performance capacities of disabled athletes are also well-documented (e.g. Shephard 1988). Nevertheless, there is no information about these parameters in paraplegic skiing athletes. The purpose of the present study was therefore a thorough analysis of both laboratory and field measurements in paraplegic skiing athletes of German Paralympic National Team. METHODS: Data of n = 4 athletes were collected during standard fitness testing twice a year, standardized skiing (ski dome), and an on-snow training camp in the disciplines of slalom (SL), giant-slalom (GS), and Super-G (SG). Incremental tests were performed on treadmill with athletes' handbikes. Measurements included pulmonary parameters measured with metabolic cart or mobile spirometric unit for field tests, lactate (LA) and maximal lactate (LAmax), heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (Borg scale 1-20). RESULTS: Laboratory measurements (mean ± SD) revealed following values: peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) = 35.3 ± 4.6 ml.kg-1.min-1, maximum HR (HRmax) = 197 ± 11.min-1, LAmax = 11.8 ± 2.4 mmol.l-1. During indoor skiing, SL measurements reached only around 30% VO2peak (see figure 1) and 60% of HRmax for athletes in a 30s run, whereas LA remained close to baseline. During outdoor testing, mean values for GS were 70 ± 7% HRmax and 36 ± 10% VO2peak and for SG, values were slightly higher with 74 ± 6% HRmax and 48 ± 11% VO2peak (see figure 2 for comparison). Borg values remained between 8 and 12 for all disciplines. DISCUSSION and CONCLUSION: Metabolic load of paraplegic skiing athletes may be lower than expected and is defenitely lower than for able-bodied skiing athletes. Forces exerted on the ski during a turn reaching the body might be lower due to suspension unit in skibob. REFERENCES Shephard, HJ. (1983). Sports medicine and the wheelchair athlete. Sports Med, 5 (4), 226-47 Tumbull, J.R., Kilding, A.E & Keogh, J.W. (2009). Physiology of alpine skiing. Scan J Med Sci Sports, 19(2), 146-55
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