Abstract
We investigated the hypothesis that longer and shorter poles would be faster and slower, respectively, than poles of self-selected length in all-out double poling. Eight elite cross-country skiers performed 80 m all-out double poling on snow performed from a standing start. Three trials with each of the pole lengths: self-selected, 7.5 cm shorter, and 7.5 cm longer than self-selected were performed. Time was recorded every 20 m and skiers were filmed during the last 40 m for calculation of cycle rate and length. Times at 80 m were 0.9 ± 0.7% shorter with longer poles than with self-selected poles (p ≤ 0.05), while they were 1.2 ± 1.0% slower with shorter poles (p ≤ 0.05). Much of these differences were established within the first 20 m. Calculated lead at 80 m with longer poles was 0.88 ± 0.65 m over self-selected poles (p ≤ 0.05). Mean cycle rate and length ranged from 1.35 to 1.45 Hz and from 4.84 to 5.52 m, respectively, across pole lengths (p > 0.05).
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their thanks to the participants for their enthusiasm and cooperation during the study. Peter Solgård, and Thomas K. Kveum are acknowledged for assistance with testing.
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Hansen, E.A., Losnegard, T. Pole length affects cross-country skiers’ performance in an 80-m double poling trial performed on snow from standing start. Sports Eng 12, 171–178 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-010-0042-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-010-0042-3