Abstract
In the current study, we evaluated the impact of exercise intensity on gender differences in upper-body poling among cross-country skiers, as well as the associated differences in aerobic capacity, maximal strength, body composition, technique and extent of training. Eight male and eight female elite skiers, gender-matched for level of performance by FIS points, carried out a 4-min submaximal, and a 3-min and 30-sec maximal all-out test of isolated upper-body double poling on a Concept2 ski ergometer. Maximal upper-body power and strength (1RM) were determined with a pull-down exercise. In addition, body composition was assessed with a DXA scan and training during the previous six months quantified from diaries. Relative to the corresponding female values (defined as 100%), the power output produced by the men was 88%, 95% and 108% higher during the submaximal, 3-min and 30-sec tests, respectively, and peak power in the pull-down strength exercise was 118% higher (all P<0.001). During the ergometer tests the work performed per cycle by the men was 97%, 102% and 91% greater, respectively, and the men elevated their cycle rate to a greater extent at higher intensities (both P<0.01). Furthermore, men had a 61% higher VO2peak, 58% higher 1RM, relatively larger upper-body mass (61% vs 56%) and reported considerably more upper-body strength and endurance training (all P<0.05). In conclusion, gender differences in upper-body power among cross-country skiers augmented as the intensity of exercise increased. The gender differences observed here are greater than those reported previously for both lower- and whole-body sports and coincided with greater peak aerobic capacity and maximal upper-body strength, relatively more muscle mass in the upper-body, and more extensive training of upper-body strength and endurance among the male skiers.
Highlights
The endurance sport of cross-country skiing involves the whole body, with the workload shared between the upper and lower extremities in a manner that varies with terrain, skiing speed, technique utilized and capacity of the skier
With the double-poling technique, where all propulsion is generated through the poles, gender differences in absolute power were as high as 67%, compared to 62% and 58% with the G3 skating and diagonal stride techniques, respectively, where the contribution of the legs is greater, and only 54% during running, where all propulsion is generated by the legs [1]
The primary aim of the current study was to test the hypotheses that gender differences in power production by cross-country skiers performing isolated upper-body poling are significantly enhanced by elevating the intensity, that these differences are greater than those previously reported in connection with lower- and whole-body exercise, and that they coincide with corresponding differences in the upper-body aerobic capacity, strength and muscle mass
Summary
The endurance sport of cross-country skiing involves the whole body, with the workload shared between the upper and lower extremities in a manner that varies with terrain, skiing speed, technique utilized and capacity of the skier. With the double-poling technique, where all propulsion is generated through the poles, gender differences in absolute power were as high as 67%, compared to 62% and 58% with the G3 skating and diagonal stride techniques, respectively, where the contribution of the legs is greater, and only 54% during running, where all propulsion is generated by the legs [1] This gender difference during running is comparable to the gender differences observed in other endurance sports that rely on leg propulsion [2,3,4]. These gender differences appear to be independent of exercise duration [4], which is the case for roller ski skating with the G3 technique, where the workload is shared relatively between the upper and lower extremities [5]. Since previous research revealed that gender differences in strength and power are greater for the upper than lower extremities [6, 7], it can be expected that increasing intensity further accentuates these differences with exercise that solely involves the upper body
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