Effects of Fatigue Related to Uphill on Kick Double Pole Kinematics of Young Cross Country Skiers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of fatigue due to uphill on the kick double pole technique. Ten young male subjects volunteered to study. Subjects’ cross country sprint times were taken using a kick double pole technique with maximum effort for 1 km in a climbing course with an average slope of 4%. In accordance with these measured times, a separate average speed for each subject was modified, and the subjects were tested on the treadmill at these specified speeds, with the same duration, slope, and technique. Each participant was asked to perform three trials with half an hour between them. Kinematic data were obtained using a three-dimensional motion capture system (Vicon Peak, Oxford, UK). Statistical analysis was performed by separating the variables into 3 separate groups: a) periods of time b) distance data c) joint angles. In conclusion, in kinematic data analyzed according to the fatigue of climb, there was a significant difference between the duration of the poling times, duration of the first cycles with the left leg propulsion and the last cycles, and the duration of the first cycles with the right leg propulsion and left leg propulsion. Significant differences were found in the hip, shoulder, elbow and trunk angles. Significant differences were also found among all the identified distances.