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Poling forces during roller skiing: effects of grade
G Y Millet1, M D Hoffman, R B Candau
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|November 14, 1998
Summary
Uphill skiing relies on upper body strength. This study found that steeper slopes increase poling forces and cycle rate, similar to increasing speed, while relative upper body demands between techniques remained consistent.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics of skiing
- Exercise physiology
Background:
- Upper body contributes significantly to uphill skiing propulsion.
- Systematic examination of poling forces across varying slopes is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate poling forces and timing during roller skiing on different uphill gradients (2.1% and 5.1%).
- To compare the V1 skate and double pole techniques under varying slope conditions.
Main Methods:
- Nine elite cross-country skiers performed roller skiing at submaximal and maximal speeds.
- Utilized V1 skate and double pole techniques.
- Measured poling forces and timing using piezoelectric transducers.
Main Results:
- Steeper slopes (5.1%) significantly increased peak force, average force, and average force over the entire cycle for both techniques (P < 0.01).
- Upper body recovery time decreased, and cycle rate increased on the steeper grade for both V1 skate and double pole (P < 0.01).
- The ratio of V1 skate to double pole forces remained consistent across grades but increased with velocity.
Conclusions:
- Relative upper body demands between V1 skate and double pole techniques were similar on both tested grades.
- Increased poling forces, reduced recovery times, and higher cycle rates on steeper grades mirror responses to increased skiing speed.