Neuromuscular Responses of Elite Skaters During Different Roller Figure Skating Jumps

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the neuromuscular activity of elite athletes who performed various roller figure skating jumps, to determine whether the muscle activation is greater during jumps with more rotations and in which phase the muscles are more active. This study also aimed to analyze if there is any difference in the muscle activity pattern between female and male skaters. Four elite skaters were evaluated, and each participated in two experimental sessions. During the first session, anthropometric data were collected, and the consent forms were signed. For the second session, neuromuscular data were collected during jumps, which were performed with skates at a rink. The following four roller figure skating jumps were evaluated: single Axel, double Axel, double Mapes and triple Mapes. The neuromuscular activity of the following seven muscles was obtained with an electromyograph which was fixed to the waist of each skater with a strap: biceps femoris, lateral gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and gluteus maximus. The signal was transmitted wirelessly to a laptop. During the roller figure skating jumps, the lateral gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gluteus maximus, showed more activation during the jumps with more rotations, and the activation mainly occurred during the propulsion and flight phases. Female skaters demonstrated higher muscle activities in tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and gluteus maximus during the landing phase of the triple Mapes, when compared to their male counterparts. The results obtained in this study should be considered when planning training programs with specific exercises that closely resemble the roller figure skating jumps. This may be important for the success of elite skaters in competitions.

Lumbopelvic-Hip Complex Contribution During Lower Extremity Screening Tests in Elite Figure Skaters

“…The landing limb has an increased need for stability in order to support the high angular velocity during jumps and to overcome the forces from jump landings. 12 In contrast, the non-landing limb requires more power generation to optimize jump height. Although both legs must be stable and strong, the specific demands may lead to asymmetry.…”

“…During take-off, the anterior chain is mainly activated to produce enough torque and power to perform multiple rotational jumps. 12 This is opposite of the landing phase, where the movement is very quick, not allowing time to alter the amount of dorsiflexion in the ankle resulting in landing forces moving up the kinetic chain to the hip and lumbar spine. A stiffer position at landing requires the hip and trunk to attenuate more of the forces.…”

“…Females have greater muscle activation of the transverse abdominis, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and gluteus maximus when compared to males during roller skating jumps, which are very similar to jumps in figure skating. 12 Greater control may be required from the landing limb as opposed to the non-landing limb to provide stability as a skater lands from various skills. However, muscle fatigue can affect hip, knee, and ankle biomechanics which could result in figure skaters compensating with increased lateral trunk flexion toward their landing limb after they make contact with the ice.…”

“…However, muscle fatigue can affect hip, knee, and ankle biomechanics which could result in figure skaters compensating with increased lateral trunk flexion toward their landing limb after they make contact with the ice. 12 Compensatory movement patterns during landings, such as increased lateral trunk flexion, may contribute to injuries such as patellofemoral knee pain.…”

Variables cinéticas y stiffness vertical de patinadoras de artístico andaluzas (Kinetic variables and vertical stiffness of Andalusian female figure skaters)

“…El patinaje artístico es una disciplina deportiva que combina capacidades artísticas y atléticas (Ionescu & Gugu-Gramatopol, 2014;Mazurkiewicz, Iwanska, & Urbanik, 2018). Puede realizarse sobre hielo o sobre ruedas, pero los elementos realizados en los programas son similares (Dias, et al, 2014). En todas las modalidades de patinaje artístico los patinadores deben realizar una serie de elementos de dificultad y, salvo en la modalidad de danza, los elementos de mayor dificultad suelen ser los saltos.…”