ABSTRACT
In speed skating, athletes aim to achieve high mechanical power outputs and lower frictional losses while skating counter-clockwise on a 400-m oval in time-trial conditions, where the fastest time leads to a win. This chapter discusses physiological challenges, testing, training, pacing and tactics in both long-track and short-track speed skating. The characteristic crouched position in speed skating, combined with a relatively long gliding phase and high intramuscular forces, leads to a physiological challenge: increased deoxygenation of the working muscles. The distribution of training time, intensity and volume in long-track skating has shifted towards a more polarised distribution, which has resulted in fairly increased long-track performance. In short-track speed skating, the tactical decision-making process about when to accelerate and decelerate is not only informed by physiology and technical ability; avoiding collisions, drafting possibilities and competing for the optimum line also play a role.
