Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pole length on performance and technique selection during a simulated skating cross-country (XC) skiing competition on snow in female XC skiers.MethodsNine female XC skiers and biathletes (VO2max 63.6 ± 6.2 mL/min/kg, age 22.9 ± 3.5 years, body height 1.69 ± 0.1 m and body mass 60.8 ± 4.6 kg) completed two 5-km skating time-trail with maximal effort. The athletes had a minimum 4.5 h of rest between the two races, which were performed in a random order: one with self-selected poles (89.0% ± 0.6% of body height) and one with 7.5 cm increased pole length (94.0% ± 0.5% of body height). Speed in set terrain sections was determined and the selection of sub-technique was self-reported immediately after each race based on a detailed review of the entire track.ResultsSkiers performed on average 7.1 ± 7.1 s (P = 0.029) faster with the long poles, with this difference occurring during the first 200 m and in the uphill parts of the track, in which ~ 5% more G3 and ~ 5% fewer G2 sub-techniques were chosen (both P < 0.05). The rating of perceived exertion was 1 ± 0.9 point lower (P = 0.04) and skiing technique was perceived to be ~ 1.2 ± 1.5 points better with long poles (P = 0.038), while the physiological responses (i.e., peak and average heart rate, and blood lactate concentration) did not differ between trials.ConclusionIn conclusion, poles 7.5 cm longer than self-selected ones improved performance in skating, by enhancing speed in the initial phase (first 200 m) and in the uphill section of the track. In addition, the longer poles induced more use of the G3 skating sub-technique.
Highlights
In cross-country (XC) skiing, skiers propel themselves forward by combininḡ ski push-offs and poling
A significantly lower rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (P = 0.046) was observed with the long poles compared with the self-selected poles (Table 1)
The main findings in this study were that: (1) long poles enhanced performance compared to self-selected poles, without any alterations in average heart rate, blood lactate concentration and RPE, (2) the use of longer poles led to more use of the G3 sub-technique at the expense of G2 in the uphill sections of the track, and (3) the skiers reported lower RPE and a substantially better perception of the skiing technique when using long poles compared to their selfselected ones
Summary
In cross-country (XC) skiing, skiers propel themselves forward by combininḡ ski push-offs and poling. The characteristics of the skis and poles are crucial for the effectiveness of most skiing technique in both classical and skating styles. The use of longer poles has been shown to increase skiing efficiency and performance in double poling [5, 13, 14, 17] and in the G3 skating technique on roller skis [29]. The use of longer poles in the classical style together with better equipment and preparation of the track [21] as well as a stronger and more endurance trained upper body [18] have contributed to make double poling one of the most favored classical sub-techniques used in races. The possible benefits of longer poles in the skating technique have not been systematically evaluated and the poles in skating are only limited to the skier’s body height [6]
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