Body Composition and Performance in Cross-Country Skiing

Larsson, Peter; Henriksson-Larsén, Karin

doi:10.1055/s-2008-1038735

Cited by 34 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…This was the first time that elite cross-country skiers, including some of the fastest sprint skiers in the world, had their body composition analysed. Compared with the junior national skiers in previous studies (Larsson & Henriksson-Larsén, 2008), the elite skiers in the present study had a greater body mass, lean mass, and fat mass, which was more pronounced in the arms. The main reason for this is probably that our participants were mature senior world-class elite skiers with extensive training backgrounds, including regular strength training.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 74%

Relationships between body composition, body dimensions, and peak speed in cross-country sprint skiing

Stöggl

Enqvist

Müller

et al. 2010

Journal of Sports Sciences

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In modern sprint cross-country skiing, strength and maximal speed are major determinants of performance. The aims of this study were to ascertain the anthropometric characteristics of world-class sprint skiers and to evaluate whether a specific body composition and/or body dimension characterizes a successful sprint skier. Our hypothesis was that body height and lean body mass are related to peak speed in double poling and diagonal stride. Fourteen male national and international elite skiers performed two peak speed tests in double poling and diagonal stride roller skiing on a treadmill and were analysed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to determine body composition and body dimensions. Relative pole length was positively correlated with both techniques (double poling: r = 0.77, P < 0.01; diagonal stride: r = 0.60, P < 0.05) and was the only variable that was part of the multiple regression model for both double poling and diagonal stride peak speed. Body height was not correlated with any technique, whereas lean trunk mass (r = 0.75, P < 0.01), body mass index (r = 0.66, P < 0.01), total lean mass (r = 0.69, P < 0.01), and body mass (r = 0.57, P < 0.05) were positively related to double poling peak speed. Total lean mass (absolute: r = 0.58, P < 0.05; relative: r = 0.76, P < 0.001) and relative lean mass of the trunk, arms (both r = 0.72, P < 0.01), and legs (r = 0.54, P < 0.05) were positively related to diagonal stride peak speed. In conclusion, skiers should aim to achieve a body composition with a high percentage of lean mass and low fat mass. A focus on trunk mass through increased muscle mass appears to be important, especially for double poling. The use of longer poles (percent body height) seems to be advantageous for both double poling and diagonal stride peak speed, whereas body dimensions do not appear to be a predictive factor.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 74%

Relationships between body composition, body dimensions, and peak speed in cross-country sprint skiing

Stöggl

Enqvist

Müller

et al. 2010

Journal of Sports Sciences

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“…If this is correct, then any differences in lactate production in the arms and legs would be more or less solely based on differences in muscle characteristics, for example, levels of enzymes and types of fibers. However, both the peak and the average pole forces were only one-sixth of the peak and average leg forces, whereas the ratio of muscle mass of the arms is about one-third of the legs (20). Altogether, these observations indicate that it is the higher degree of muscle activation and the longer propulsive phase in the arms rather than the force outputs that lead to the higher blood lactate concentration in the arms during DIA.…”

Section: Blood Lactatementioning

confidence: 82%

Biomechanically Influenced Differences in O2 Extraction in Diagonal Skiing

Björklund

Stöggl

Holmberg

2010

Medicine &Amp; Science in Sports &Amp; Exercise

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The higher muscle activation (percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction) in the arms and the longer ground contact time of the poles than the legs contribute to the lower oxygen extraction and elevated blood lactate concentration in the arms in diagonal skiing. The better lactate recovery in the arms than that in the legs is aided by greater reductions in muscle activation and pole force when exercise intensity is reduced.

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“…Several investigations have highlighted the importance of upper body strength and endurance, as well as sufficient muscle mass in the upper body to skiing performance (Hoff et al 1999; Larsson and Henriksson-Larsén 2008; Nilsson et al 2004; Stöggl et al 2010; Terzis et al 2006). Whether male skiers have an advantageous upper body composition and/or more well-trained upper body muscles are important questions for further examination.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender differences in the physiological responses and kinematic behaviour of elite sprint cross-country skiers

et al. 2011

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Gender differences in performance by elite endurance athletes, including runners, track cyclists and speed skaters, have been shown to be approximately 12%. The present study was designed to examine gender differences in physiological responses and kinematics associated with sprint cross-country skiing. Eight male and eight female elite sprint cross-country skiers, matched for performance, carried out a submaximal test, a test of maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) and a shorter test of maximal treadmill speed (Vmax) during treadmill roller skiing utilizing the G3 skating technique. The men attained 17% higher speeds during both the VO2max and the Vmax tests (P < 0.05 in both cases), differences that were reduced to 9% upon normalization for fat-free body mass. Furthermore, the men exhibited 14 and 7% higher VO2max relative to total and fat-free body mass, respectively (P < 0.05 in both cases). The gross efficiency was similar for both gender groups. At the same absolute speed, men employed 11% longer cycles at lower rates, and at peak speed, 21% longer cycle lengths (P < 0.05 in all cases). The current study documents approximately 5% larger gender differences in performance and VO2max than those reported for comparable endurance sports. These differences reflect primarily the higher VO2max and lower percentage of body fat in men, since no gender differences in the ability to convert metabolic rate into work rate and speed were observed. With regards to kinematics, the gender difference in performance was explained by cycle length, not by cycle rate.

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Body Composition and Performance in Cross-Country Skiing

Cited by 34 publications

References 16 publications

Relationships between body composition, body dimensions, and peak speed in cross-country sprint skiing

Relationships between body composition, body dimensions, and peak speed in cross-country sprint skiing

Biomechanically Influenced Differences in O2 Extraction in Diagonal Skiing

Gender differences in the physiological responses and kinematic behaviour of elite sprint cross-country skiers

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