Biomechanical and energetic determinants of technique selection in classical cross-country skiing.
Classical cross-country skiing can be performed using three main techniques: diagonal stride (DS), double poling (DP), and double poling with kick (DK). Similar to other forms of human and animal gait, it is currently unclear whether technique selection occurs to minimize metabolic cost or to keep some mechanical factors below a given threshold. The aim of this study was to find the determinants of technique selection. Ten male athletes roller skied on a treadmill at different slopes (from 0° to 7° at 10km/h) and speeds (from 6 to 18km/h at 2°). The technique preferred by skiers was gathered for every proposed condition. Biomechanical parameters and metabolic cost were then measured for each condition and technique. Skiers preferred DP for skiing on the flat and they transitioned to DK and then to DS with increasing slope steepness, when increasing speed all skiers preferred DP. Data suggested that selections mainly occur to remain below a threshold of poling force. Second, critically low values of leg thrust time may limit the use of leg-based techniques at high speeds. A small role has been identified for the metabolic cost of locomotion, which determined the selection of DP for flat skiing.
CeRiSM, Center of Research in Mountain Sport and Health, University of Verona, Rovereto, Italy; Department of Neurological, Neuropsychological, Morphological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. Electronic address: barbara.pellegrini@univr.it.
Barbara
B
Pellegrini
Chiara
C
Zoppirolli
Lorenzo
L
Bortolan
Hans-Christer
HC
Holmberg
Paola
P
Zamparo
Federico
F
Schena
D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012865:Skiing / Q000502:physiology*; D013147:Spirometry; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
2300; 2330; Human locomotion; Poling force