The adoption of in-line skating as a means to achieve aerobic fitness has accentuated its health-related benefits. The impact shock wave that is customarily transmitted to the entire body when walking or running was attenuated by 50% during in-line skating. Thus, the lower impact of in-line skating may reduce the likelihood of degenerative diseases of the joints, while maintaining the necessary impact that is necessary for remodeling of bone. The reduced impact shock of in-line skating is attributed to a low change in the vertical velocity as the skate contacts the surface. Minimal acceleration of the head during the impact of in-line skating should also provide a more stable visual field, reduce vestibular excitation, and allow for a more stable gravitation reference than the locomotor skills of walking and running.
The physiological and biomechanical demands of in-line skating, compared to the more conventional modes of achieving aerobic fitness, have been the topics of numerous investigations. A typical protocol for assessing the physiological demands of aerobic activities is to compare their requirements in oxygen uptake and heart rate and to assess the build-up of lactic acid. Noted that in-line skating produced significantly greater heart rates and absolute oxygen uptake values than ice skating in collegiate ice hockey players. Thus, the metabolic cost of in-line skating was greater than ice skating at three velocities commonly experienced in game conditions. Across the spectrum of oxygen uptakes studied, heart rates were higher with in-line skating than with cycling or running. However, when a criterion of lactic acid concentration was used as a measure of training effect in highly fit individuals, the in-line skating activity was less effective than running in achieving a significant training effect.
The substitution of in-line skating for running or cycling in order to achieve aerobic fitness or to enhance body composition has appealed to many adult fitness enthusiasts. Comparable intensities the absolute maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) in in-line skating was approximately 5% lower than for treadmill running, but the metabolic load was similar. Furthermore, at comparable levels of oxygen consumption, the subjects perceived the effort to be identical in the two exercise conditions.
The training effects of in-line skating have been of interest to ice hockey players, skiers, and speed skaters. Highly trained individuals may have to resort to greater velocities or inclined surfaces in order to achieve a significant training effect through in-line skating.
Comparisons of metabolic energy requirements of in-line skating with walking, running, speed skating, skiing, and ice hockey skating demonstrate that in-line skating is a suitable alternative for achieving aerobic fitness among individuals. Highly trained individuals may have to increase their speed or the degree of the skating incline to receive a significant training effect.
