BACKGROUND Sport specific ergometers are important for laboratory testing (i.e. peak oxygen consumption (VO(2))) and out of season training. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare cardiorespiratory variables during exercise on a double poling ergometer to a field test in elite sit skiers. METHODS Three male and four female athletes from the Canadian National / Developmental team (17-54 years of age, six with complete paraplegia and one with cerebral palsy) completed a field test and a double poling ergometer protocol separated by at least 24 hours. Both protocols consisted of three maximal trials of skiing of three minutes duration separated by 1.5 minutes of rest. A wireless metabolic system and heart rate monitor were used to measure cardiorespiratory responses [peak heart rate, peak VO(2), and peak respiratory exchange ratio (RER)] during each test. Arterialized blood lactate was measured before the beginning of exercise, after each trial and at 5, 10 and 15 minutes post exercise. RESULTS No significant differences existed between the field and ergometer tests for peak oxygen consumption (VO(2)) (field=34.7±5.5 mL·kg-1·min-1 vs. ergometer=33.4±6.9 mL·kg-1·min-1). Significantly higher peak heart rate and RER were found during the ergometer test. Significantly higher lactates were found during the ergometer test after trial 2 and trial 3. CONCLUSIONS The double poling ergometer is similar to a field test for evaluating peak VO(2) in elite cross country sit skiers; however, the ergometer test elicits a higher heart rate and anaerobic response.