Changes in upper and lower body muscle involvement at increasing double poling velocities: an ecological study

Zoppirolli, Chiara; Pellegrini, Barbara; Modena, Roberto; Savoldelli, Aldo; Bortolan, Lorenzo; Schena, Federico

doi:10.1111/sms.12783

Cited by 10 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The finding that the relative contributions from P arm and P T+L remained essentially unaffected by increasing external power is in contrast to several previous studies showing the legs to become increasingly more involved when DP intensity is increased [10–12, 26–28], but agrees with these studies in that DP is a whole-body movement, where the legs contribute significantly to external power output. One reason for this discrepancy may be that the external power outputs of the present study were not great enough cause any essential technique alteration.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

“…Immediately prior to and during a portion of poling, the body is rapidly lowered as if the skier is ‘falling onto the poles’. This strategy, employing more of the large muscle mass in the legs and core is increasingly used at faster velocities [11, 12]. Thus, the relative power contribution by the legs increases with enhanced DP intensity [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Overall, the relative contribution or involvement of the legs increases with increasing external power both during ergometer DP [10] and on-snow skiing DP on level terrain [12]. However, it remains to be examined whether this relationship holds true for DP on steeper inclines.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mechanical energetics and dynamics of uphill double-poling on roller-skis at different incline-speed combinations

et al. 2019

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Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different incline-speed combinations, at equal external power outputs, on the mechanics and energetics of the double-poling (DP) technique in cross-country skiing. Methods Fourteen elite male cross-country skiers performed treadmill DP on roller-skis at low, moderate, and high mean external power outputs (P mean ) up a shallow incline (5%, INC5), at which DP is preferred, and up a steep incline (12%, INC12), at which DP is not preferred. Speed was set to produce equal P mean at both inclines. From recorded kinematics and dynamics, arm power (P arm ) and trunk+leg power (P T+L ) were derived, as were pole propulsion power (P pole ) and body mechanical energy perpendicular to the treadmill surface (E body⊥ ). Results Over a locomotion cycle, the arms contributed 63% to P mean at INC5 but surprisingly only 54% at INC12 ( P <0.001), with no effect of P mean ( P = 0.312). Thus, the trunk and legs contributed substantially to P mean both at INC5 (37%) and INC12 (46%). At both inclines, P T+L generation during the swing phase increased approximately linearly with P mean , which increased E body⊥ . Within the poling phase, ~30–35% of the body energy which was developed during the preceding swing phase was transferred into propulsive pole power on both inclines. At INC5, the amount of negative P T+L during the poling phase was larger than at INC12, and this difference increased with P mean . Conclusions The considerable larger amount of negative P T+L during poling at INC5 than at INC12 indicate that the legs and trunk generate more power than ‘necessary’ during the swing phase and thus must absorb more energy during the poling phase. This larger surplus of P T+L at INC5 seems necessary for positioning the body and poles so that high P arm generation can occur in a short time. At INC12, less P arm is generated, probably due to less advantageous working conditions for the arms, related to body and pole positioning. These incline differences seem linked to shorter swing and longer poling times during steep uphill DP, which are due to the increased influence of gravity and slower speed at steep inclines.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mechanical energetics and dynamics of uphill double-poling on roller-skis at different incline-speed combinations

et al. 2019

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“…However, due to the substantial variation in speed during a competition, skiers must have the ability to master a wide range of sub-techniques not only from a technical but also from a physiological perspective. In XC skiing, the work is shared between the arms, trunk, and legs, and the contribution of each depends on the movement in specific sub-techniques and the relative intensity generated by the skier (Bojsen-Moller et al 2010; Calbet et al 2004, 2005; Danielsen et al 2015; Rud et al 2014; Zoppirolli et al 2017). Hence, the ability to produce high aerobic power while performing various sub-techniques seems crucial for performance (Sandbakk et al 2016b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy system contribution during competitive cross-country skiing

Losnegard

2019

Eur J Appl Physiol

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Energy system contribution during crosscountry (XC) skiing races is dependent on several factors, including the race duration, track profile, and sub-techniques applied, and their subsequent effects on the use of the upper and lower body. This review provides a scientific synopsis of the interactions of energy system contributions from a physiological, technical, and tactical perspective. On average, the aerobic proportion of the total energy expended during XC skiing competitions is comparable to the values for other sports with similar racing times. However, during both sprint (≤ 1.8 km) and distance races (≥ 10 and 15 km, women and men, respectively) a high aerobic turnover interacts with subsequent periods of very high work rates at ~ 120 to 160% of VO 2peak during the uphill sections of the race. The repeated intensity fluctuations are possible due to the nature of skiing, which involves intermittent downhills where skiers can recover. Thus, the combination of high and sustained aerobic energy turnover and repeated work rates above VO 2peak , interspersed with short recovery periods, distinguishes XC skiing from most other endurance sports. The substantially increased average speed in races over recent decades, frequent competitions in mass starts and sprints, and the greater importance of short periods at high speeds in various sub-techniques, have demanded changes in the physiological, technical, and tactical abilities needed to achieve world-class level within the specific disciplines.

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“…Better skiers are stronger ( Stöggl and Müller, 2009 ; Stöggl et al, 2010a , 2011 ), accelerate more rapidly ( Wiltmann et al, 2016 ), possess more lean mass ( Stöggl et al, 2010a ), and can generate higher peak forces later during the poling phase ( Holmberg et al, 2005 ; Stöggl et al, 2011 ). Strength has been correlated with starting performance ( Wiltmann et al, 2016 ) and high skiing speed requires extensive involvement of both upper-body and core muscles ( Stöggl et al, 2010a ; Zoppirolli et al, 2017 ). Specialists in sprint races are taller and heavier than distance skiers ( Losnegard and Hallen, 2014 ) and competitors in the 50-km classical race in recents Olympic games were heavier ( Wood, 2018 ) than those in the 30-km race in Calgary in 1988 ( Norman et al, 1989 ).…”

Section: Development Of the Biomechanics Of The Various Skiing Technimentioning

confidence: 99%

Developments in the Biomechanics and Equipment of Olympic Cross-Country Skiers

Pellegrini¹,

Stöggl

Holmberg

2018

Front. Physiol.

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Here, our aim was to describe the major changes in cross-country (XC) skiing in recent decades, as well as potential future developments. XC skiing has been an Olympic event since the very first Winter Games in Chamonix, France, in 1924. Over the past decades, considerable developments in skiing techniques and improvements in equipment and track preparation have increased skiing speed. In contrast to the numerous investigations on the physiological determinants of successful performance, key biomechanical factors have been less explored. Today’s XC skier must master a wide range of speeds, terrains, and race distances and formats (e.g., distance races with individual start, mass-start or pursuit; knock-out and team-sprint; relays), continuously adapting by alternating between various sub-techniques. Moreover, several of the new events in which skiers compete head-to-head favor technical and tactical flexibility and encourage high-speed techniques (including more rapid development of propulsive force and higher peak forces), as well as appropriate training. Moreover, the trends toward more extensive use of double poling and skiing without grip wax in classical races have given rise to regulations in connection with Olympic distances that appear to have preserved utilization of the traditional classical sub-techniques. In conclusion, although both XC equipment and biomechanics have developed significantly in recent decades, there is clearly room for further improvement. In this context as well, for analyzing performance and optimizing training, sensor technology has a potentially important role to play.

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Changes in upper and lower body muscle involvement at increasing double poling velocities: an ecological study

Cited by 10 publications

References 23 publications

Mechanical energetics and dynamics of uphill double-poling on roller-skis at different incline-speed combinations

Mechanical energetics and dynamics of uphill double-poling on roller-skis at different incline-speed combinations

Energy system contribution during competitive cross-country skiing

Developments in the Biomechanics and Equipment of Olympic Cross-Country Skiers

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