title: Is There an Optimal Pole Length for Double Poling in Cross Country Skiing?
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pole length on energy cost and kinematics in cross country double poling. Seven sub-elite male athletes were tested using pole sets of different lengths (ranging between 77% and 98% of participants' body height). Tests were conducted on a treadmill, set to a 2% incline and an approximate racing speed. Poling forces, contact times, and oxygen uptake were measured throughout the testing. Pole length was positively correlated with ground contact time (r = .57, p < .001) and negatively correlated with poling frequency (r = -.48, p = .003). Pole length was also positively correlated with pole recovery time and propulsive impulse produced per poling cycle (r = .36, p = .031; r = .35, p = .042, respectively). Oxygen uptake and pole length were negatively correlated (r = -.51, p = .004). This acute study shows that increasing pole length for double poling in sub-elite cross country skiers under the given conditions seems to change the poling mechanics in distinct ways, resulting in a more efficient poling action by decreasing an athlete's metabolic cost.
authors.affiliation: 1 JLU Gießen.
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Onasch
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Calgary.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Killick
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Calgary.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Herzog
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012865:Skiing; D019876:Sports Equipment
keywords: efficiency; elite skiers; metabolic cost; optimal performance; oxygen uptake; poling kinematics