Peak torque and OBLA running capacity in male orienteers

Abstract

The isokinetic (30, 60, 120 and 180 degrees s-1) peak torque of m. quadriceps femoris and m. triceps surae, and the running velocity at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (VOBLA) were determined at three different occasions (November, April and September) during a year in 15 male élite orienteers. The amount and type of training for each individual was also registered. At the first test (November) there was no significant intra-individual correlation between peak torque of m. quadriceps and m. triceps surae. A negative correlation was found between VOBLA and peak torque of m. quadriceps at the lower velocities of angular motion, but not at the higher. The peak torque of m. triceps surae increased during the training period and decreased during the competition period back to the original level. Over the whole year the peak torque of m. quadriceps increased while no changes could be demonstrated within the two periods of the study. The running velocity at the onset of blood lactate accumulation increased during both training and competition periods. The changes in VOBLA were negatively associated with the changes in peak torque of m. quadriceps at 180 degrees s-1 during the training period. During the competition period the changes in VOBLA were, for the majority of the orienteers, negatively correlated to the ratio of quality:quantity running, i.e. to a high content of forest running.