Interseason Training and Aerobic Fitness of Motocross Racers

Abstract

In brief: The excellent endurance capacities of ten members of the Finnish motocross team, studied before and after a three-month program stressing endurance and strength, showed further improvement with intense training. Before the program they had 12.2% body fat and maximal oxygen consumption of 64.7 ml· kg⁻¹· min⁻¹ during bicycle ergometry. After the program, fat decreased 7.7%, weight decreased insignificantly, VO₂ max increased 12.4%, and anaerobic thresholds (AT) increased 21%, averaging 37.3 ml· kg⁻¹· min⁻¹ (56.1% of VO² max). Heart rates at the AT increased 11.7%. Most physiological variables improved more at the AT than at maximum.