Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2025
09:19
Short Session High Intensity Interval Training and Treadmill Assessment in Aged Mice
Published on: February 2, 2019
9.9K
Physiological responses and performance factors for double-poling and diagonal-stride treadmill roller-skiing
Erik P Andersson1,2, Nestor Lögdal3,4, Darragh Byrne3
1Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden. erik.andersson@miun.se.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|June 11, 2023
Summary
Cross-country skiers exhibit distinct physiological responses and performance capabilities between double-poling and diagonal-stride techniques. These differences highlight the sub-technique specificity of metabolic profiles and their impact on 4-minute time-trial performance.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Cross-country skiing performance relies on efficient energy utilization and physiological capacity.
- Understanding the differences in physiological demands between double-poling (DP) and diagonal-stride (DS) techniques is crucial for optimizing training and performance.
- Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), anaerobic capacity, and gross efficiency (GE) are key determinants of endurance performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare physiological responses during a 4-minute double-poling time-trial (TTDP) versus a 4-minute diagonal-stride time-trial (TTDS).
- To examine the relative importance of VO2peak, anaerobic capacity, and GE in predicting performance in both TTDP and TTDS.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen elite male cross-country skiers completed incremental submaximal protocols to determine metabolic rate (MR) versus power output (PO) relationships.
- Skiers then performed randomized 4-minute TTDP and TTDS on roller skis.
- Physiological variables including VO2peak, anaerobic capacity, and GE were assessed.
Main Results:
- Double-poling time-trials (TTDP) resulted in significantly lower total MR, aerobic MR, anaerobic MR, and GE compared to diagonal-stride time-trials (TTDS).
- Power output (PO) was 32% lower in TTDP than TTDS.
- VO2peak and anaerobic capacity were also significantly lower during DP compared to DS.
- Multivariate analysis showed that VO2peak, anaerobic capacity, and GE effectively predicted performance in both TTDP (R²=0.974) and TTDS (R²=0.848).
Conclusions:
- A cross-country skier's metabolic profile and performance capacity are highly specific to the sub-technique employed.
- Four-minute time-trial performance is significantly influenced by physiological factors such as VO2peak, anaerobic capacity, and GE.
- These findings underscore the importance of technique-specific training in cross-country skiing.
