The “sitting” posture of speed skating may result in compromised blood flow to the working muscles, thus limiting oxygen uptake. To examine this metabolic problem, male (N= 7) short track speed skaters performed running (TR), in-line skating upright (US), and in-line skating in the “sitting” position (LS) on a motor driven treadmill on randomized days. Each test consisted of four 4-min stages at 2.24, 2.68, 3.13, and 3.58 m·s-1(5, 6, 7, and 8 mph) at 5% incline. After a brief rest, athletes performed at 4.03 m·s-1(9 mph) with elevation increasing 1% each minute to exhaustion. Two on-ice 1000-m time trials (TT) were performed to assess the relationship between performance and laboratory measurements. Peak ˙VO2was lower during LS (57.2± 2.7, 62.3 ± 4.0, and 64.3 ± 1.6; for LS, US, and TR, respectively;P< 0.05). At equivalent speeds, submaximal O2uptake was lower for LS and blood lactate was higher (P< 0.05). LS peak ˙VO2(ml·kg-1·min-1) was strongly related to TT(P< 0.05). The depressed ˙VO2and higher blood lactate during LS may be related to decreased knee or trunk angle. Peak˙VO2values during skating did not approach values during running. Evaluation of speed skaters in a sports-specific test is congruent with performance and demonstrates potential in addressing the unique physiological demands of the sport.