A novel incremental slide board test for speed skaters: reliability analysis and comparisons with a cycling test

Objectives: This study intended to assess the test-retest reliability of an incremental test performed on a slide board (SB) and compare it with a cycling protocol to determine aerobic indexes in skaters. Design: Descriptive validity study. Method: Ten recreational inline skaters (eight male and two female) were tested. Participants performed two incremental tests on SB and a cycling incremental test. The intensity of SB test was determined by cadence, starting at 30 push-offs/min and increasing by three push-offs/min each minute, until volitional exhaustion. Maximal and submaximal (related to the heart rate deflection point; HRDP) values of oxygen uptake (VO 2 ), pulmonary ventilation (VE), respiratory exchange (RER), heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived effort (RPE) were measured. The maximal cadence (CADmax) and blood lactate concentration ([Lac]max) were also obtained. Results: No significant differences between test-retest on SB were found for all variables. High relative (ICC > 0.9) and absolute reliability (typical error of measure as CV TEM < 3.5%) were found for VO 2 max, HRmax, [Lac]max, CADmax, VO 2HRDP , CAD HRDP , and RPE HRDP . In comparison to SB test, the [Lac]max was significantly higher during cycling and RPE HRDP was lower. VO 2 max, HRmax, CADmax, VO 2HRDP and CAD HRDP were large correlated between cycling and SB (r > 0.8). Conclusions: These findings suggest that SB test is reliable and may be used to evaluate aerobic index of skaters. Exercise prescription from indices obtained from cycling or running treadmill incremental tests does not seem suitable for speed skaters. However, the specificity of laboratory skating assessments remains to be established.