title: Lower Leg Anterior and Lateral Intracompartmental Pressure Changes Before and After Classic Versus Skate Nordic Rollerskiing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a debilitating condition resulting in loss of function and a decrease in athletic performance. Cases of CECS are increasing among Nordic skiers; therefore, analysis of intracompartmental pressures (ICPs) before and after Nordic skiing is warranted.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if lower leg anterior and lateral ICPs and subjective lower leg pain levels increased after a 20-minute Nordic rollerskiing time trial and to examine if differences existed between postexercise ICPs for the 2 Nordic rollerskiing techniques, classic and skate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Crossover study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outdoor paved loop.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven healthy Division I Nordic skiers (3 men, 4 women; age = 22.71 ± 1.38 y, height = 175.36 ± 6.33 cm, mass = 70.71 ± 6.58 kg).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed two 20-minute rollerskiing time trials using the classic and skate technique in random order. The time trials were completed 7 days apart. Anterior and lateral ICPs and lower leg pain scores were obtained at baseline and at minutes 1 and 5 after rollerskiing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anterior and lateral ICPs (mm Hg) were measured using a Stryker Quic STIC handheld monitor. Subjective measures of lower leg pain were recorded using the 11-point Numeric Rating Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increases in both anterior (P = .000) and lateral compartment (P = .002) ICPs were observed, regardless of rollerskiing technique used. Subjective lower leg pain increased after the classic technique for the men from baseline to 1 minute postexercise and after the skate technique for the women. Significant 3-way interactions (technique × time × sex) were observed for the anterior (P = .002) and lateral (P = .009) compartment ICPs and lower leg pain (P = .005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postexercise anterior and lateral ICPs increased compared with preexercise ICPs after both classic and skate rollerskiing techniques. Lower leg pain is a primary symptom of CECS. The subjective lower leg pain 11-point Numeric Rating Scale results indicate that increases in lower leg ICPs sustained during Nordic rollerskiing may increase discomfort during activity. Our results therefore suggest that Nordic rollerskiing contributes to increases in ICPs, which may lead to the development of CECS.
authors.affiliation: University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.affiliation: University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Petron
authors.affiliation: University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
authors.forename: Barry B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Shultz
authors.affiliation: University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
authors.forename: Charlie A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hicks-Little
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure; D012865:Skiing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anterior compartment; chronic exertional compartment syndrome; compartment syndrome; lower leg pain Nordic skiing