Double Poling Technique Research Articles

Effects of Technique and Pole Grip on Physiological Demands of Roller Skiing on Level Terrain

This study evaluated the physiological responses to roller skiing with three different techniques, and compared the physiological responses during roller skiing with a standard pole grip and an innovative "anatomical" pole grip. Data were collected on ten experienced cross-country ski racers while roller skiing with the double pole, V1 skate, and kick double pole techniques on a flat track at mean (+/- SD) velocities of 14.6 +/- 0.2, 16.4 +/- 0.3, and 18.0 +/- 0.4 km.h-1. The kick double pole technique induced the highest (p less than 0.05) oxygen uptakes, heart rates, and ventilations. The double pole technique elicited the lowest (p less than 0.05) oxygen uptakes, and the V1 skate technique elicited the lowest (p less than 0.05) perceived effort and respiratory exchange ratios. Comparison of the two pole grips showed no differences in the physiological responses and perceived effort. While the V1 skate technique is not the most economical roller skiing technique on flat ground, the lower associated perceived effort and respiratory exchange ratios may at least partially account for the general preference of cross-country ski racers to use the V1 skating technique rather than the double pole technique on flat terrain.

Evaluation of a specific test in cross‐country skiing

Six Danish male cross-country skiers were studied during the end-of-summer and winter seasons. Their maximal oxygen uptake was measured while running on a treadmill and using a ski ergometer incorporating the double-poling technique. Maximal oxygen uptake during treadmill running and double-poling was correlated with performance, expressed as a ranking score during 10 ski races. The tests were undertaken in September, December and April. Upper body maximal oxygen uptake increased 5.8% from September to December, decreasing to 2.3% above the September level in April. Upper body work output (2 min at maximal intensity) increased 11.8% from September to December (P less than 0.05). The relationship between upper body and leg maximal oxygen uptake--the upper body/leg ratio--was 89.4% in September. In four skiers, both treadmill and upper body tests were undertaken on each test occasion. The upper body/leg ratio changed from 87.7% in September to 95.7% in December. In April, the ratio was 91.0%. The maximal oxygen uptake measured using the ski ergometer during double-poling was significantly correlated with performance (P less than 0.05). It is concluded that the upper body ski ergometer can be used in the evaluation of elite cross-country skiers.

Physiological responses to different cross country skiing techniques on level terrain

This study compared the physiological responses and ratings of perceived exertion elicited by several of the most common currently used cross country skiing techniques. The comparison included two classical techniques (kick double pole and diagonal stride), two ski skating techniques (V1 skate and marathon skate), and the double pole technique on both classical and skating skis. Eight male cross country ski racers skied each technique for three laps around a 420 m flat, professionally groomed and tracked oval surface at a mean (+/- SD) velocity of 14.2 +/- 0.6 km.h-1. Heart rate was recorded by telemetry and expired gases were collected for determination of minute ventilation and oxygen consumption during the final minute of each bout. Rating of perceived exertion was requested immediately after each bout. It was found that the diagonal stride technique required the highest oxygen consumption, with the V1 skate, marathon skate, and kick double pole techniques inducing a 16% lower (P less than 0.01) oxygen cost, and the double pole technique inducing a 26% lower (P less than 0.01) oxygen cost. Heart rate was also highest (P less than 0.01) with the diagonal stride technique and lowest with the double pole technique. The rating of perceived exertion was greatest (P less than 0.05) for the diagonal stride technique and lowest (P less than 0.05) for the V1 skate technique. These results indicate that the double pole technique has the greatest economy, the diagonal stride technique elicits the greatest physiological demands and has the highest perceived effort, and the V1 skate technique is associated with the lowest perceived effort under the conditions of this study.

Influence of Body Mass on Energy Cost of Roller Skiing

A theoretical analysis was used to evaluate the effect of body mass on the mechanical power cost of cross-country skiing and roller skiing on flat terrain. The relationships between body mass and the power cost of overcoming friction were found to be different between cross-country skiing on snow and roller skiing. Nevertheless, it was predicted that the heavier skier should have a lower oxygen cost per unit of body mass for roller skiing, as is the case for snow skiing. To determine whether the theoretical analysis was supported by experimental data, oxygen consumption measurements were performed during roller skiing by six male cross-country ski racers who spanned a 17.3-kg range in body mass. The theoretical analysis was supported by the experimental findings of decreases in oxygen consumption for each kg increase in body mass of approximately 1.0% for the double pole technique, 1.8% for the kick double pole technique, and 0.6% for the VI skate technique.

Physiological responses to different roller skiing techniques

This study compared the physiological responses during roller skiing with the V1 skate, kick double pole, and double pole techniques. Eight male nordic ski racers roller skied over a flat one-mile track at 14 and 18 km.h-1 using each of the three techniques under study. Heart rates and oxygen uptakes were measured during the last minute of each bout, ratings of perceived exertion were requested immediately after each bout, and capillary blood lactate concentrations were determined 3 min after each bout. The double pole technique was found to be significantly more economical (P less than 0.05) than the other techniques, as demonstrated by a 12% lower oxygen consumption. No differences were found between the V1 skate and the kick double pole techniques for any of the variables studied. The findings of similar physiological responses with the V1 skate and kick double pole techniques suggest that these techniques should induce similar cardiovascular adaptations when roller skiing at the same speed on flat terrain.

The mechanics of the roller ski and its influence on technique in cross country skiing

The roller ski has been introduced in cross country skiing to render possible the training of conditional as well as of technical factors during the snowless saison. As far as technique is concerned the roller ski must allow movements and the exertion of forces very similar to those with skis on snow. In practise, the judgement of the roller ski is as follows: The movement in the double pole technique is a good approach to the ski technique offering the additional advantage to exercise under various conditions. Concerning the diagonal step technique however the approximation seems to be not so good. In consequence there is a risk to adapt wrong movement and innervation patterns which have to be eliminated in the beginning of the winter training. Possible differences between ski and roller ski technique can only be caused by the different mechanical properties of the two instruments and by their interactions with the different surface conditions. Of particular importance are the static and dynamic friction characteristics.

The energy cost of cross-country skiing among elite competitors

The energy costs of skiing with the diagonal stride technique was investigated in 15 members of the men's and women's national cross-country ski teams and in 5 recreational skiers. Oxygen uptake was measured directly by means of a portable bag-method for each subject during level skiing at 3 different skiing speeds. The oxygen cost of double poling vs. diagonal stride techniques was also measured in 3 subjects during level skiing. Although a strong linear relationship was found between VO2 and speed of skiing (r = 0.868, p less than 0.001), there was considerable variation even among elite competitors. The VO2-skiing speed relationship was parallel to that obtained for running, but the O2 cost of skiing was found to be 10--12 ml/kg in excess of that predicted for level running at the same speed. On flat terrain, the O2 cost of the double poling technique as used in fast skiing was found to be higher than that for diagonal striding.