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Energetics and biomechanics of double poling in regional and high-level cross-country skiers

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the energetics and the biomechanics of double poling technique (DP) in two groups of cross-country skiers.

Methods

Eight high-level (HLG) and eight regional-level (RLG) skiers performed a 5-min sub-maximal DP trial, roller skiing on a treadmill at 14 km h−1 and 2°. Energetic cost (ECDP), center of mass (COM) vertical displacement range, body inclination (θ, i.e., the angle between the vertical line and the line passing through COM and a fixed pivot point identified at feet level) and mechanical work associated to COM motion were analyzed. Pole and joint kinematics, poling forces and cycle timing were also considered.

Results

HLG showed lower ECDP than RLG, smaller COM vertical displacement range and mechanical work, whereas higher θ during the early part of the poling phase (P < 0.05). In HLG, pole inclination was higher, poling forces greater and cycle duration longer (P < 0.05). Considering all skiers, a forward multiple regression revealed that the maximum value of θ (θ max) and the minimum value of COM vertical displacement resulted the COM-related parameters that better predict ECDP (AdjR 2 = 0.734; P < 0.001). Moreover, θ max positively related to poling force integrals and cycle duration (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

A pronounced body inclination during the early poling phase and a reduced COM vertical displacement range concur in explaining the differences in ECDP found between the groups and among the skiers. A mechanically advantageous motion of COM during DP improves poling effectiveness, reduces cycle frequency and the mechanical work sustained.

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Abbreviations

[BLa]:

Blood lactate concentration

2-D:

Bi-dimensional

COM:

Center of mass

DP:

Double poling

EC:

Energetic cost

ECDP :

Energetic cost of double poling

FISI:

Federazione Italiana Sport Invernali (Italian Winter Sports Federation)

HLG:

High-level group

iF %:

Integral of poling force normalized by body weight

iF x %:

Integral of propulsive poling force normalized by body weight

iF z %:

Integral of vertical poling force normalized by body weight

m :

Body segment mass

M :

Body mass

MANOVA:

Multivariate analysis of variance

MATLAB:

Matrix laboratory

Max:

Maximum value within a cycle

Min:

Minimum value within a cycle

Off:

End of poling phase

On:

Start of poling phase

P :

P value

pk:

Instant of peak poling force

R :

R value

RLG:

Regional-level group

SD:

Standard deviation

SPSS:

Statistical package for the social sciences

V′O2 :

Oxygen consumption

W x :

Mechanical work associated with forward movement of COM

W z :

Mechanical work associated with vertical movement of COM

W COM :

Mechanical work associated with total movement of COM

x :

Antero-posterior dimension

xCOM:

Position of center of mass in the antero-posterior dimension

z :

Vertical dimension

zCOM:

Position of center of mass in the vertical dimension

α :

Pole inclination

θ :

Body inclination with respect to the vertical line

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the athletes and their coaches for their participation and cooperation, the military groups to which the skiers belong (Fiamme Gialle and Fiammo Oro) and the Italian Federation of Winter Sports Federation (FISI). This study was supported financially by the Municipality of Rovereto, Italy.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Chiara Zoppirolli.

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Communicated by Jean-René Lacour.

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Zoppirolli, C., Pellegrini, B., Bortolan, L. et al. Energetics and biomechanics of double poling in regional and high-level cross-country skiers. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 969–979 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3078-4

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