Track Speed Skating Research Articles

Health problems among elite Dutch youth long track speed skaters: a one-season prospective study

ObjectivesTo describe the frequency, type, and severity of health problems in long-track speed skating to inform injury prevention strategies.MethodsWe prospectively collected weekly health and sport exposure data on 84 highly...

Study of short-term visual memory of athletes in cyclic sports, martial arts and esports

Background and Study Aim. To carry out a comparative analysis of indicators of short-term visual memory in athletes of cyclic sports (short track), martial arts (karate, taekwondo) and esports (CS:GO). Material and Methods. The study involved athletes of percussion martial arts (n=13, age 18.8±0.52, experienced athletes), elite players of semi-professional CS:GO teams (n=10, age 19.2±0.50), short track speed skaters (n=12, age 19.1±0.25, experienced athletes). Short-term visual memory was determined using a special program for tablet computers running iOS. Results. Certain trends have been established regarding the characteristics of the state of the body of elite athletes in martial arts, short track and esports in terms of averaged indicators. In terms of the short-term visual memory coefficient and the average percentage of errors, martial arts athletes showed the best result, and short trackers showed the worst result. The shortest average test duration was recorded for short trackers. At certain stages of the test, they dominated athletes of other specializations in terms of reaction time. However, the trend towards faster response was associated with a decrease in the accuracy of the selection, that is, a greater percentage of errors. Cyberathletes and martial arts athletes were characterized by better adaptive abilities than short track athletes. Conclusions. The specificity of sports activities of cyberathletes determined the best results of the most difficult stage of the test both in terms of speed and accuracy. This criterion can be recommended for esports selection and prediction. The control of the cognitive functions of athletes is expedient in the course of monitoring their physical condition and is a promising direction for predicting the reliability and success of competitive activity.

Enhancing Short Track Speed Skating Performance through Improved DDQN Tactical Decision Model.

This paper studies the tactical decision-making model of short track speed skating based on deep reinforcement learning, so as to improve the competitive performance of corresponding short track speed skaters. Short track speed skating, a traditional discipline in the Winter Olympics since its establishment in 1988, has consistently garnered attention. As artificial intelligence continues to advance, the utilization of deep learning methods to enhance athletes' tactical decision-making capabilities has become increasingly prevalent. Traditional tactical decision techniques often rely on the experience and knowledge of coaches and video analysis methods that require a lot of time and effort. Consequently, this study proposes a scientific simulation environment for short track speed skating, that accurately simulates the physical attributes of the venue, the physiological fitness of the athletes, and the rules of the competition. The Double Deep Q-Network (DDQN) model is enhanced and utilized, with improvements to the reward function and the distinct description of four tactics. This enables agents to learn optimal tactical decisions in various competitive states with a simulation environment. Experimental results demonstrate that this approach effectively enhances the competition performance and physiological fitness allocation of short track speed skaters.

Modeling the Early and Late Acceleration Phases of the Sprint Start in Elite Long Track Speed Skaters.

Zukowski, MH, Jordan, MJ, and Herzog, W. Modeling the early and late cceleration phases of the sprint start in elite long track speed skaters. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 236-244, 2024-This study established the reliability of an exponential function to model the change in velocity during the speed skating sprint start and the validity of associated model parameters in a group of subelite and elite long track speed skaters. Long track speed skaters ( n = 38) performed maximal effort 50-m on-ice accelerations from a standing start while tethered to a horizontal robotic resistance device that sampled position and time data continuously. An exponential function was applied to the raw data to model the change in velocity throughout the acceleration phase and compute the maximal skating speed (MSS), maximal acceleration capacity (MAC), maximum relative net horizontal power ( PMax ), and an acceleration-time constant ( τ ). All constructed models provided a sufficient fit of the raw data ( R -squared > 0.95, mean bias <2%). Intraday reliability of all model parameters ranged from good to excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.8 and coefficient of variation <5%). Strong negative correlations ( r : -0.72 to -0.96) were observed between MSS and PMax and the 10 and 20 m split times measured with the robotic resistance and with 100 split times obtained from 500 m races. Moderate-to-large between-group differences were observed in MSS, MAC, and PMax between the elite vs. subelite speed skaters (Cohen d effect sizes: 1.18-3.53). Our results indicate that monoexponential modeling is a valid and reliable method of monitoring initial acceleration performance in elite level long track speed skaters.

In vivo vastus lateralis fascicle excursion during speed skating imitation

Mechanical power is a key performance indicator in long track speed skating. Maximal power output in athletic performance can be achieved when mechanical properties of muscles, such as the force-length relationship, are optimized. The purpose of this study was to determine the in vivo operating range of vastus lateralis (VL) fascicle lengths during speed skating imitation and compare the fascicle lengths to those that define the VL force-length relationship. Sixteen sub-elite long track speed skaters (7 females and 9 males; body mass: 72.5 [11.5] kg; age: 22.1 [2.7] years) performed maximal voluntary isometric knee extensions at nine different knee joint positions (20–120°) on the left leg to obtain the maximal vastus lateralis (VL) force-length relationship. Participants then performed a speed skating imitation exercise, the turn-cable, at three progressive perceived efforts (50%, 75%, 100%) to identify the VL fascicle excursion during a complete imitation skating stroke. Fascicle lengths and knee joint angles were examined at initial-contact, peak EMG, and take-off. Fascicles between initial contact and peak EMG covered the descending limb of both the maximal and submaximal force-length relationships while operating over the plateau region from peak EMG to take-off. We conclude that the VL works at sub-optimal length during the gliding phase of skating, but at optimal length for maximal force production during the crucial push-off phase where propulsion is provided.

Single Leg Lateral and Horizontal Loaded Jump Testing: Reliability and Correlation With Long Track Sprint Speed Skating Performance.

Zukowski, MH, Jordan, MJ, and Herzog, W. Single leg lateral and horizontal loaded jump testing: reliability and correlation with long track sprint speed skating performance. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2251-2259, 2023-This study examined the intraday reliability of 2 novel unilateral loaded jump protocols designed for long track speed skaters. Highly trained ( n = 26), national level athletes performed single leg jumps with a horizontal robotic resistance across 3 external load conditions (10 N, 7.5% of body mass and 15% of body mass) using their dominant limb. Jumps were performed in both the horizontal (Jump Horz ) and lateral (Jump Lat ) direction to replicate the body position and line of force application observed during the running and gliding phases of on-ice acceleration. Subjects completed 2 consecutive trials of the same jump protocol to examine the intraday reliability of the peak velocity achieved for each loading condition. Peak velocity across each jump type and loading condition had good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.8, coefficient of variation <5%). Significant positive relationships ( r = 0.5-0.8, p < 0.05; n = 22) were observed between all jump conditions and on-ice sprint race split times obtained including 100, 400, and 500 m. Our results indicate that unilateral loaded jump tests are reliable in speed skating athletes and may help practitioners diagnose and monitor lower-limb maximal muscle power capacity in a sport-specific manner.

Study of the psychomotor abilities of athletes in cyclic sports, martial arts and esports

Purpose: to conduct a comparative analysis of psychomotor abilities in athletes of cyclic sports (short track), martial arts (karate, taekwondo) and esports (CS:GO). Materials, participants and methods: The study involved athletes of percussion martial arts (n=10, age 18,9±0,12, candidates for master of sports), elite players of semi-professional CS:GO teams (n=10, age 19,2±0,50), short track speed skaters (n=10, age 19±0,09, masters of sports). The choice reaction time, the frequency of local movements (60-second tapping test), and the reaction time to a change in the size of the object (Size-test) were determined. Research results. Esports athletes have the best reaction time of choice and tapping test compared to other athletes. The wrestlers showed the best reaction to distinguishing the size of an object in the Size-Test. Skaters have high rates of complex reaction time and frequency of movements. The duration of the tapping test has a likely inverse relationship with the frequency of tapping. Conclusions. It was found that esports athletes have a significantly better choice reaction time (p&lt;0,05) than martial arts athletes. The results of short track skaters do not have significant differences with martial arts and esports athletes (p&gt;0.05). The results of the tapping test in terms of the total number of movements and the average number for 5 s in esports athletes tend to be higher compared to short track speed skaters and martial arts athletes. The fastest response time to a change in the size of an object in the Size-test was shown by martial arts athletes, the slowest by short-track skaters. This reflects the trend towards better results of this type of reaction in martial arts athletes compared to short track speed skaters and esports athletes.

IMPACTOS DO TREINAMENTO DE COORDENAÇÃO FÍSICA SOBRE A VELOCIDADE NA PATINAÇÃO DE VELOCIDADE EM PISTA CURTA

ABSTRACT Introduction Although the development time of short-track speed skating in China is relatively short, with the joint efforts of many athletes and coaches, the special technical level can be comparable with that of European and American countries. Objective Verify the impacts of physical coordination training on speed in short track speed skating. Methods Athletes from the provincial skating team were randomly selected and distributed into control and experimental groups to apply the training method on physical coordination in short track speed skating. Results The average body fat rate of the skaters in the control group was 15.24%, the average body fat rate in the control group was 15.20%, and the T value of the experimental group and control group was 1.00, P = 0.374 &lt; 0.05. Conclusion Because they are special equipment, the turn resistance training device and the air resistance parachute played an important role in improving the special fitness of Chinese short track speed skaters. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Relationship Between Strength And Power In Elite Short Track Speed Skaters

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between strength and power in elite short track speed skaters. METHODS: Ten males (mean ± SD; age 21.1 ± 1.9 y; height = 177.2 ± 5.3 cm; mass = 71.3 ± 4.8 kg) and five females (age 22.8 ± 1.3 y; height 169.1 ± 4.3 cm; mass = 60.4 ± 1.3 kg) elite short track speed skaters volunteered and consented to an IRB approved informed consent to participate. Anthropometric measurements were recorded followed by a dynamic warm-up. The athletes completed four assessments: isometric (ISOM) torque, isokinetic (ISOK) torque, vertical jump (VJ), and Wingate testing. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess ISOM and ISOK torque for both right and left knee extensors and flexors. For ISOK torque, participants completed one set of five repetitions at a velocity of 60°/s. ISOM assessment used a stationary 60-degree knee angle, where participants completed three repetitions for three seconds each. Peak torque for quadriceps (QUAD) and hamstrings (HAM) for both right leg (RL) and left leg (LL) were used for analysis. The VJ test was completed on an AMTI force plate, where peak power (PP) output was used for analysis. Lastly, participants conducted a Wingate anaerobic cycling test at a load of 9 g/kg of body mass, where PP output was used for analysis. SPSS 24 was used to analyze Pearson r correlations between strength and power variables. RESULTS: There was a moderately strong significant (p = 0.006) correlation (r = .669) between VJ PP and ISOK RL HAM PT. There was a moderately strong significant correlation between Wingate PP and ISOK LL QUAD PT (p = 0.004; r = .695) and ISOK RL HAM PT (p = 0.002; r = .721). There was a moderate significant correlation between Wingate PP and ISOK RL QUAD PT (p = 0.029; r = .562), ISOK LL HAM PT (p = 0.028; r = .565), and ISOM LL QUAD PT (p = 0.037; r = .542). CONCLUSIONS:Short track speed skaters train to focus on repeatable explosive movement during competition which corresponds to their lower extremity strength. During a race, short track speed skaters’ LL is in a more fixed position while the RL is isokinetically moving, which relates to our findings that the ISOM LL QUAD was correlated with PP and RL HAM and QUAD ISOK were correlated with PP. Practitioners may use this as a reference to gain insight on the benefits of training for power and strength to enhance performance.

Training load responses modelling and model generalisation in elite sports

This study aims to provide a transferable methodology in the context of sport performance modelling, with a special focus to the generalisation of models. Data were collected from seven elite Short track speed skaters over a three months training period. In order to account for training load accumulation over sessions, cumulative responses to training were modelled by impulse, serial and bi-exponential responses functions. The variable dose-response (DR) model was compared to elastic net (ENET), principal component regression (PCR) and random forest (RF) models, while using cross-validation within a time-series framework. ENET, PCR and RF models were fitted either individually (M_{I}) or on the whole group of athletes (M_{G}). Root mean square error criterion was used to assess performances of models. ENET and PCR models provided a significant greater generalisation ability than the DR model (p = 0.018, p < 0.001, p = 0.004 and p < 0.001 for ENET_{I}, ENET_{G}, PCR_{I} and PCR_{G}, respectively). Only ENET_{G} and RF_{G} were significantly more accurate in prediction than DR (p < 0.001 and p < 0.012). In conclusion, ENET achieved greater generalisation and predictive accuracy performances. Thus, building and evaluating models within a generalisation enhancing procedure is a prerequisite for any predictive modelling.

Cervical Spine and CranioVertebral region function in Elite Short Track Speed Skating Athletes

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> Previous work has suggested that neck strength and control can be a protective factor against sustaining concussions during high impacts. The objective of this study was to characterize cervical spine and craniovertebral function in elite STSS and evaluate differences by athlete biological sex and skill level. <h3>Design</h3> Cross-sectional study. <h3>Setting</h3> National and Regional High Performance Athletic Training Facilities. <h3>Participants</h3> Members of the Canadian Senior National STSS team (n=25; 48% male) as well members of the Eastern Regional STSS Development Team (n=16; 56% male) were assessed as part of their pre-season baseline physical examination. <h3>Interventions</h3> N/A. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Clinical evaluations for neck pain, cervical spine range of motion (ROM) for flexion, extension, rotation, and sideflexion; cervical strength/control and endurance for flexion, extension, and sideflexion; neck postural reactions; manual spine examination/palpation as well as craniovertebral mobility. <h3>Results</h3> Athletes presented with full ROM on clinical observation for all six cervical spine movements (median %ROM = 100). Median time for cervical flexor endurance was 46 seconds (range: 16-134s) but fibrillations were observed in 56% of participants. Extensor endurance reached the pre-determined maximum time of 180 seconds for all but 2 athletes. Performance on the craniocervical flexion test revealed a mean performance index of 65.1 (95%CI 54,5-75,7). The manual spinal exam was within normal limits for mobility, but pain was elicited in some athletes (26% right; 12% left). No differences were found between senior and junior level athletes or between males and females, except for cervical sideflexion endurance where females had significantly lower performance than males (p < 0.001). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Cervical spine and craniovertebral function did not differ by skill level in elite short track speed skaters but greater superficial muscle activation and lower than expected endurance of deep cervical flexors was identified in athletes of all levels and of both sexes. Since control of deep flexors is important for neck stability, it could be the target of specific intervention in elite short track speed skaters. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> None.

한, 중 우수 남자 쇼트트랙 스피드 스케이팅 선수의 무릎 관절 등속성 근력 비교

This study is to compare and analyze the isokinetic strength of knee joints of Korean male short track speed skaters and Chinese male short track speed skaters, and to present data for improving the performance of male short track speed skaters.,The subjects of this study were male short track speed skating players (n=10) and male short track speed skating players (n=9) of Heilongjiang Province team in China.,The isokinetic muscle function measurement device of knee joint is Cybex HUMAC NORM, and the measurement results of each measurement variable and the measurement results by group are as follows. First, the maximum muscle strength of right extensor was significantly higher in the Korean athletes group, which showed a significant difference between the groups(p<.01). The relative maximum muscle strength of the right extensor, flexor and left extensor was greater in the Korean athletes group, which showed a significant difference between the groups(p<.01)(p<.05)(p<.01), but Chinese athletes were also at the level of Korean athletes in the maximum knee joint muscle strength. Second, in the average power, the average power of right flexural strength was larger in the Chinese player group, which showed a significant difference between the groups p<.05). The average power of left flexion force was larger in the Chinese players group, which showed a significant difference between the groups(p<.05). The relative average power of the right and left extensor strength was significantly higher in the Korean players group, which showed a significant difference between the groups(p<.05)(p<.05).

Validity of different EMG analysis methods to identify aerobic and anaerobic thresholds in speed skaters

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the validity of the first (EMGth1) and second (EMGth2) breakpoints in the EMG signal during skating. Scope: Ten well-trained long track speed skaters performed a maximal incremental skating test on a slide board. EMG signals from six lower limb muscles were recorded during the last 15 s of each stage and converted to Root Mean Square for determination EMGth1 and EMGth2 using mathematical (2 and 3 linear regressions) and visual methods. Conclusions: EMGth1 had a low detection rate (<50%) while EMGth2 could be identified visually in > 80% of cases, in 85% of cases using 2-lines and 63% using 3-lines regression. Quads (VL + VM) and Gluts (GM + GMd) had the highest EMGth2 detection rate for all methods (>70%). EMGth2 from Quads and Gluts detected by the 2-lines and 3-lines regression were not different than the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) (p > 0.05), while the visual method overestimated VT2 (p < 0.01). EMGth2 detected from Quads by the 2-lines regression method presented better correlation with VT2 stage (r = 0.91), lowest bias, and limit of agreement. We conclude that EMG is a valid non-invasive method to detect VT2 during skating when using a mathematical method to determine EMGth2.

Tissue Oxygen Index Response During Maximal On-ice And Cycling Performances With Short Track Speed Skaters

Tissue Oxygen Index Response During Maximal On-ice And Cycling Performances With Short Track Speed Skaters

남자 쇼트트랙 스피드 스케이팅 주로 전환구간의 가상 추월 상황 스케이팅 동작 분석

The Purpose of this study was to set a virtual overtaking space in a curve-straight transition section and to analyze the skater"s skating motion in the overtaking situation and provide data on skating strategies that can be effectively overtaken in this section. The study included five male short track speed skaters (mean height, 1.72 ± 0.07 m; mean weight, 65.8 ± 2.8 kg; years, 23.6 ± 3.8 yrs)were analyzed. Data were collected from middle of the curve to the 7 m of the straight section and recorded using five digital SONY FDR-AXP35 video cameras (SONY, Japan) operating at a sampling frequency of 60 fields/sec and shutter speed of 1/500 sec. For each film frame, the joint positions were digitized using the KWON3D motion analyzer. Position data were filtered with low-pass Butterworth 4th order at the cut-off frequency of 7.4 Hz. The results of the study showed that the faster the transition section, the more deviates f rom the course, and CMH to be higher. There were two patterns of increasing or decreasing speed when passing the target, and when the speed increased, the ratio of the y-axis distance was large. Therefore, the effective in-course overtaking defined in this study should have a small distance between the inner line and the gliding foot at the middle of the curve(MC) and at the end of the curve(EC). And we concluded that the pattern that the lateral movement range (X) in the course is small and the velocity increases in the direction of motion (Y) is advantageous to pass the target at high speed.

The Efficiency of Short Track-related Sports Injury Prevention Program on Non-contact Injury Incidence for Elite Short Track Speed Skaters

The Efficiency of Short Track-related Sports Injury Prevention Program on Non-contact Injury Incidence for Elite Short Track Speed Skaters

Unilateral Conditioning Contractions Enhance Power Output in Elite Short Track Speed Skaters.

The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of unilateral lower-body-conditioning muscle contractions during multiple sets of fatiguing repeated jumps in elite athletes. Five elite short-track speed-skating athletes performed 9 sets of 6 maximal consecutive jumps on 2 separate occasions: with (COND) and without (CTRL) preliminary voluntary conditioning contractions (CC) 5 min before the beginning of the sets. The CC consisted of 2 consecutive 3 s maximal unilateral isometric squats against a fixed bar, resulting in a 6 s overall isometric contraction per leg. For each set, power output (PO) was measured using a linear position transducer and averaged over the 6 corresponding repeated jumps. The results showed that PO was significantly greater during the test in COND than in CTRL ( p <0.01). PO significantly decreased with sets, by 19.4±4.7 and 15.2±7.6% ( p <0.001) between the first and last set in COND and CTRL, respectively. A 2×3 s maximal unilateral isometric CC, performed 5 min before unloaded repeated jumps, significantly increased mean PO. These results suggest that unilateral conditioning contractions can enhance performance in subsequent bilateral repeated jumps.

The Incidence of Injuries in Development Short Track Speed Skaters Part 1: On Ice

The Incidence of Injuries in Development Short Track Speed Skaters Part 1: On Ice

ANALYSIS OF SHORT TRACK SPEED SKATERS COURAGE LEVELS FROM DIFFERENT VARIABLES

The object of this work is to analyze the courage levels of short track speed skaters from different variables. The study has been carried out on a total of 20 individuals, including 6 women and 14 men, who performed as short track speed skaters in Erzurum province of Turkey in 2017. DBA courage scale developed by (Imamoglu, 1998) has been applied to skaters in the study 9 . SPSS 21 package program has been used for the analysis of the data. In the analysis of the data, frequency distribution for the demographic characteristics, T test to examine the relationship between two independent variables and courage level and ANOVA Variance analysis tests have been used to examine the relationship between more than two variables and courage level. The difference between the variables has been interpreted based on p 0.05 relevance level. According to the findings, it is determined that there is a significant difference between the level of courage of the athletes and being a national athlete. It is also determined that there is no significant difference between gender, education level, age, type of school they attended, educational background of mother and father and mother and father’s occupations. It is observed that, courage levels of national athletes are higher than that of non-national athletes. It is proposed that, it is important to determine the variables that will positively influence the level of courage for the athletes to be successful in sports and daily life. Article visualizations:

교육열 관점으로 본 쇼트트랙 학생 선수 부모들의 선수지원활동 연구 - A링크장 사례를 중심으로

교육열 관점으로 본 쇼트트랙 학생 선수 부모들의 선수지원활동 연구 - A링크장 사례를 중심으로