Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2026
Substantiating Appropriate Motion Capture Techniques for the Assessment of Nordic Walking Gait and Posture in Older Adults
Published on: May 12, 2016
Influence of ski pole grip on peak upper body power output in cross-country skiers
D P Heil1, J Engen, B K Higginson
1Movement Science/Human Performance Lab, Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, Hoseaus 101, Bozeman, Montana MT 59717, USA. dheil@montana.edu
Abstract:
This study tested the influence of three ski pole grip systems (pole grip + wrist strap) on peak upper body power output: a traditional system (Swix PC grip and simple strap); a modern system (Swix PC grip and SR94 strap); an integrated system (Yoko 232 grip and Yoko 232 strap). Nine men [mean (SD): 32 (12) years, 177.0 (5.4) cm, 75.1 (6.0) kg] and two women [24 (9) years, 174.6 (3.6) cm, 67.3 (7.7) kg], all of whom were experienced cross-country ski racers at the regional, national, or international level for the U.S., performed three successive upper body power (UBP) tests on a modified double-poling ergometer. Each subject performed three 15-s tests of UBP using stiff cross-country ski poles (classic length; same poles for all tests per subject) and a resistance corresponding to 3% of body mass. Peak UBP was determined as the highest 5-s average power output during the last 10 s of each test. The three grip systems were tested in a counterbalanced order with 3-3.5 min of rest between tests. Peak UBP data were analyzed using a two-factor RM ANOVA and Sheffe's post-hoc test at the 0.05 alpha level. Peak UBP for the integrated system [mean (SE): 169.2 (6.8) W or 2.30 (0.06) W/kg] was significantly higher than value for both the modern [164.1 (7.2) W or 2.23 (0.07) W/kg] and traditional systems [162.5 (7.0) W, or 2.21 (0.06) W/kg] for absolute and relative power output (P<0.05). Given that double-poling peak UBP can be influenced by the ski pole grip system, a skier's choice of grip system may also influence cross-country ski racing performance.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Work Done Over an Inclined Plane
The work done by gravity to move a rigid body, or the work done by an opposing force to move a rigid body against gravity, can be calculated using the center-of-mass framework. It is the line integral of the force of gravity over the path, considered positive if...
01:10Energy Diagrams - II
The point in the energy diagram at which the system’s potential energy is the lowest is known as the local minima. The system tends to stay in this position indefinitely unless acted upon by a net force. The slope of the potential energy diagram at the local minima is zero, indicating that zero net force is acting on the system. The slope...
01:24Pole and System Stability
Simple poles are unique roots of the denominator polynomial. Each simple pole corresponds to a distinct solution to the system's characteristic equation, typically resulting in exponential decay terms in the system's response.
01:14Energy Diagrams - I
Take the example of a skater on a parabolic ramp. The potential energy at different points along the ramp will be proportional to the height of the ramp, which varies quadratically with the horizontal position on the ramp. As the skater moves down the ramp from the highest position,...
01:17Force and Momentum
01:30Principle of Moments: Problem Solving
One such scenario involves a pole placed in a three-dimensional system with a cable attached. When a tension is applied to the cable, the moment about the z-axis passing through...