title: The effects of poling on physiological, kinematic and kinetic responses in roller ski skating.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the effects of poling on physiological, kinematic and kinetic responses in the G4 skating technique where the poling movement is synchronized with the leg push-off on one side (strong side) followed by a forward arm swing during the leg push-off on the other side (weak side).
  
  
  METHODS
  G4 skating with (G4-P) and without (G4-NP) poling was compared in 17 elite male cross-country skiers during 4-min submaximal tests on a 2% inclined roller ski treadmill at 10, 15 and 20 km h(-1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  G4-P demonstrated less ventilatory stress and higher gross efficiency compared to G4-NP at all velocities, and the blood lactate concentration was lower at the high velocity (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, longer cycle lengths and lower cycle rates were found with G4-P at all velocities, with correspondingly lower peak ski forces, increased ski velocities and less angling and edging of the skis (all P < 0.05). The peak ski forces on the strong side were lower than on the weak side with G4-P at all velocities (all P < 0.05), but no differences between the sides were found with G4-NP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reduced physiological cost, higher gross efficiency and longer cycle lengths together with the lower ski forces at a given work rate with G4-P demonstrate the effectiveness of poling in the G4 skating technique. Thus, poling provides possibilities to increase total propulsion, to reduce ski forces and to enhance skiing efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Center for Elite Sports Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grasaas
authors.forename: Ann Magdalen
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hegge
authors.forename: Gertjan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ettema
authors.forename: Øyvind
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Sandbakk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012865:Skiing / Q000502:physiology*; D019876:Sports Equipment
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid