Abstract
PurposeTo investigate the influence of prior high intensity double poling (DP) on physiological and biomechanical responses during subsequent diagonal stride (DIA).MethodsEight well-trained male cross-country skiers (age 22 ± 3 yr; VO2max 69 ± 3 ml · kg−1 · min−1) roller-skied on a treadmill sequentially for 3 min at 90% DIA VO2max (DIA1), 3 min at 90% DP VO2peak and 3 min at 90% DIA VO2max (DIA2). Cardio-respiratory responses were monitored continuously and gases and metabolites in blood from the a. femoralis, v. femoralis and v. subclavia determined. Pole and plantar forces and EMG from 6 lower- and upper-body muscles were measured.ResultsVO2 decreased from DIA1 to DP and increased again to DIA2 (both P < 0.05), with no difference between the DIA sessions. Blood lactate rose from DIA1 to DP to DIA2. O2 extraction was attenuated during DP (P < 0.05), but was the same during DIA1 and DIA2. EMGRMS for arm muscles during poling phase, as well as peak pole force and cycle rate were higher, while leg muscle activity was lower during DP than both sessions of DIA (all P < 0.05). The ratio of upper-/whole-body EMGRMS correlated negatively with O2 extraction in the arms during both sessions of DIA (P < 0.05).ConclusionsIn well-trained skiers skiing at high-intensity DP prior to DIA did not influence VO2, muscle activation or forces in the latter. At race intensity DP does not influence the distribution of work between upper- and lower-body during a subsequent bout of DIA. O2 extraction is coupled to technical skills during skiing.
Highlights
Of the several different sub-techniques involved in classical cross-country skiing, diagonal stride (DIA) and double poling (DP) have been most frequently studied
In well-trained skiers skiing at high-intensity DP prior to DIA did not influence Oxygen uptake (VO2), muscle activation or forces in the latter
Arm O2 extraction decreased during DP compared to DIA despite higher muscle activation, a three-fold increase in pole ground reaction force and an augmented blood lactate concentration in the arms
Summary
Of the several different sub-techniques involved in classical cross-country skiing, diagonal stride (DIA) and double poling (DP) have been most frequently studied. With DIA, the skier utilizes both the arms and legs in a diagonal fashion for propulsion and this is considered to be whole-body exercise (Lindinger et al 2009). In the case of DIA, when exercise intensity is reduced from high to moderate, O2 extraction in the arms is lowered to a greater extent than in the legs, probably due to a more pronounced decrease in the activation of arm muscles (Björklund et al 2010). With DP the opposite is observed, i.e., O2 extraction in the arms is reduced to a lesser extent than in the legs as the intensity of exercise is diminished, apparently because strong activation of the muscles of the upper-body is maintained (Stöggl et al 2013)
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