The influence of a rocking-motion device built into classic cross-country roller-ski bindings on biomechanical, physiological and performance outcomes

AbstractThis study aimed to determine whether the recently developed Flow Motion Technology® roller-ski prototype could improve indicators of performance during sub-maximal and maximal cross-country roller skiing. Thirteen national and international cross-country skiers completed 2 experimental trials: 1 with Flow Motion Technology® activated, allowing a rocking motion between the foot and ski binding, and 1 with the foot fixed in a traditional manner. Each trial included 2 sub-maximal bouts using the diagonal-stride and double-poling sub-techniques, as well as a double-poling maximal velocity test and a diagonal-stride 6-min time trial. There were no differences in performance between Flow Motion Technology® and traditional roller skiing during the maximal velocity test or the time trial. However, reductions in mean plantar force during sub-maximal diagonal stride (p = 0.011) and ankle range of motion during sub-maximal (p = 0.010) and maximal (p = 0.041) diagonal stride were observed with Flow Motion Technology® versus traditional roller skiing. This, together with a reduced minimum horizontal distance of the hips in front of the ankles during sub-maximal double poling (p = 0.001), indicated impaired technique with Flow Motion Technology®, which may have contributed to the trend for reduced gross efficiency during double poling with Flow Motion Technology® (pη2 = 0.214). Significant physiological differences included a reduced sub-maximal double poling respiratory exchange ratio (p = 0.03) and a greater maximal heart rate during the time trial (p = 0.014) with Flow Motion Technology®. We conclude that the application of Flow Motion Technology® requires further examination before use in training and competition.

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The Influence of Pole Length on Performance, O2 Cost, and Kinematics in Double Poling

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2015-0754 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 211-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Thomas Losnegard ◽

Håvard Myklebust ◽

Øyvind Skattebo ◽

Hans Kristian Stadheim ◽

Øyvind Sandbakk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Center Of Mass ◽

Body Height ◽

Time Trial ◽

Test Protocol ◽

Warm Up ◽

Vertical Range ◽

Double Poling ◽

Cross Country Skiing ◽

Cross Country ◽

Identical Test

Purpose:In the double-poling (DP) cross-country-skiing technique, propulsive forces are transferred solely through the poles. The aim of the current study was to investigate how pole length influences DP performance, O2 cost, and kinematics during treadmill roller skiing.Methods:Nine male competitive cross-country skiers (24 ± 3 y, 180 ± 5 cm, 72 ± 5 kg, VO2max running 76 ± 6 mL · kg–1 · min–1) completed 2 identical test protocols using self-selected (84% ± 1% of body height) and long poles (self-selected + 7.5 cm; 88% ± 1% of body height) in a counterbalanced fashion. Each test protocol included a 5-min warm-up (2.5 m/s; 2.5°) and three 5-min submaximal sessions (3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 m/s; 2.5°) for assessment of O2 cost, followed by a selfpaced 1000-m time trial (~3 min, >5.0 m/s; 2.5°). Temporal patterns and kinematics were assessed using accelerometers and 2D video.Results:Long poles reduced 1000-m time (mean ± 90% confidence interval; –1.0% ± 0.7%, P = .054) and submaximal O2 cost (–2.7% ± 1.0%, P = .002) compared with self-selected poles. The center-of-mass (CoM) vertical range of displacement tended to be smaller for long than for self-selected poles (23.3 ± 3.0 vs 24.3 ± 3.0 cm, P = .07). Cycle and reposition time did not differ between pole lengths at any speeds tested, whereas poling time tended to be shorter for self-selected than for long poles at the lower speeds (≤3.5 m/s, P ≤ .10) but not at the higher speeds (≥4.0 m/s, P ≥ .23).Conclusions:DP 1000-m time, submaximal O2 cost, and CoM vertical range of displacement were reduced in competitive cross-country skiers using poles 7.5 cm longer than self-selected ones.

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Improving Utilization of Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Work Economy in Recreational Cross-Country Skiers With High-Intensity Double-Poling Intervals

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2019-0689 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 37-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jan-Michael Johansen ◽

Sondre Eriksen ◽

Arnstein Sunde ◽

Øystein B. Slettemeås ◽

Jan Helgerud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Uptake ◽

Maximal Oxygen Uptake ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Time Trial ◽

Peak Oxygen Uptake ◽

Control Group ◽

Oxygen Cost ◽

Double Poling ◽

Maximal Aerobic Speed ◽

Cross Country

Purpose: To investigate the effect of a double-poling (DP) high-intensity aerobic interval-training (HIT) intervention performed without increasing total HIT volume. This means that regular HIT training (eg, running) was replaced by HIT DP. The aim was to explore whether this intervention could improve peak oxygen uptake in DP, the fractional utilization of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in DP, oxygen cost of DP, maximal aerobic speed, and a 3-km DP time trial. Methods: Nine non-specially-DP-trained cross-country skiers (intervention group) and 9 national-level cross-country skiers (control group) were recruited. All participants were tested for VO2max in running, peak oxygen uptake in DP, oxygen cost of DP, and time-trial performance before and after a 6-wk, 3-times-per-week HIT DP intervention. The intervention group omitted all regular HIT with HIT in DP, leaving the total weekly amount of HIT unchanged. Results: Seven participants in each group completed the study. VO2max in running remained unchanged in both groups, whereas peak oxygen uptake in DP improved by 7.1% (P = .005) in the intervention group. The fractional utilization of VO2max in DP thus increased by 7.3% (P = .019), oxygen cost of DP by 9.2% (P = .047), maximal aerobic speed by 16.5% (P = .009), and time trial by 19.5% (P = .004) in the intervention group but remained unchanged in the control group. Conclusions: The results indicate that a 6-wk HIT DP intervention could be an effective model to improve DP-specific capacities, with maintenance of VO2max in running.

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Laboratory- and field-based performance-predictions in cross-country skiing and roller-skiing

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0256662 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0256662

Author(s):

Rune Kjøsen Talsnes ◽

Guro Strøm Solli ◽

Jan Kocbach ◽

Per-Øyvind Torvik ◽

Øyvind Sandbakk

Keyword(s):

National Level ◽

Time Trial ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Performance Indices ◽

Performance Predictions ◽

Double Poling ◽

Individual Distance ◽

Cross Country Skiing ◽

Cross Country ◽

And Performance

The purpose of the present study was to investigate how various laboratory- and field-based tests predict on-snow cross-country (XC) skiing and roller-skiing performance. Thirty-three national-level male XC skiers (19.0±2.5 years, maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max] 70.8±4.7 mL·min-1·kg-1) performed a 13.6-km roller-ski skating competition tracked by a global positioning system (GPS), which together with individual distance International Ski Federation (FIS) points was used to assess their performance level. On separate days, time in a 6.4-km uphill running time-trial (RUN-TT) and 1.3-km uphill roller-ski double-poling time-trial (DP-TT) was measured in the field and performance indices determined while running and roller-ski skating in the laboratory. The mean finishing times for the RUN-TT and the DP-TT showed moderate to large correlations with distance FIS points and performance in the roller-ski skating competition (r = 0.56–0.72; all p<0.05). RUN-TT was more strongly correlated with distance FIS points than DP-TT (r = 0.72 versus 0.56; p<0.05). Performance indices and VO2max in incremental running and roller-ski skating in the laboratory showed large to very large correlations with distance FIS points and roller-skiing performance (r = 0.50–0.90; all p<0.05). Performance indices and VO2max in running tended to be more strongly correlated with roller-skiing performance than corresponding values obtained while roller-ski skating (all p<0.10). The present findings suggest that both laboratory performance indices and field-based performance tests provide valid predictions of XC skiing and roller-skiing performance in a heterogeneous group of male XC skiers, with test values obtained in running tending to be more strongly correlated with XC skiing performance than those found for technique-specific modalities on roller skis. However, more sophisticated and mode-specific testing might be required for more homogenous groups of elite XC skiers.

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Time Trials Predict the Competitive Performance Capacity of Junior Cross-Country Skiers

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2012-0172 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 12-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Magnus Carlsson ◽

Tomas Carlsson ◽

Daniel Hammarström ◽

Christer Malm ◽

Michail Tonkonogi

Keyword(s):

Pearson Correlation ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Time Trial ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Competitive Performance ◽

Performance Capacity ◽

Double Poling ◽

Cross Country ◽

Multiple Regression Modeling ◽

The Times

Purpose:This study investigated whether there is a correlation between time-trial performance and competitive performance capacity of male and female junior cross-country skiers and sought to explain sex-specific competitive performance capacity through multiple-regression modeling.Methods:The International Ski Federation’s (FIS) junior ranking points for distance (FISdist) and sprint (FISsprint) competitions were used as performance parameters. A total of 38 elite junior (age 18.5 ± 1.0 y) cross-country skiers (24 men and 14 women) completed 3 time-trial tests: a 3-km level-running time trial (TTRun), a 2-km moderate uphill (1.2° slope) roller-skiing time trial using the double-poling technique (TTDP), and a 2-km uphill (2.8° slope) roller-skiing time trial using the diagonal-stride technique (TTDiag). The correlations were investigated using Pearson correlation analysis, and regression models were created using multiple-linear-regression analysis.Results:For men, FISsprint and FISdist were correlated with the times for TTRun, TTDP, and TTDiag (all P < .001). For women, FISsprint was correlated with the times for TTRun (P < .05), TTDP (P < .01), and TTDiag (P < .01), whereas FISdist was correlated only with the times for TTDP (P < .01) and TTDiag (P < .05). The models developed for FISdist and FISsprint explained 73.9–82.3% of the variance in the performance capacity of male junior cross-country skiers. No statistically valid regression model was found for the women.Conclusions:Running and roller-skiing time trials are useful tests for accurately predicting the performance capacity of junior cross-country skiers.

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Caffeine improves performance in double poling during acute exposure to 2,000-m altitude

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00509.2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 119 (12) ◽

pp. 1501-1509 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

H. K. Stadheim ◽

E. M Nossum ◽

R. Olsen ◽

M. Spencer ◽

J. Jensen

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Acute Hypoxia ◽

Time Trial ◽

Acute Exposure ◽

Task Failure ◽

Double Poling ◽

Lower Pain ◽

Cross Country ◽

Double Blinded

There is limited research on the physiological effects of caffeine (CAF) ingestion on exercise performance during acute hypoxia. The aim of the present study was therefore to test the effect of placebo (PLA) and CAF (4.5 mg/kg) on double poling (DP) performance during acute hypoxia. Thirteen male subelite cross-country skiers (V̇o2max 72.6 ± 5.68 ml·kg−1·min−1) were included. Performance was assessed as 1) an 8-km cross-country DP time-trial (C-PT), and 2) time until task failure at a set workload equal to ∼90% of DP V̇o2max. Testing was carried out in a hypobaric chamber, at 800 mbar (Pio2: ∼125 mmHg) corresponding to ∼2,000 m above sea level in a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. CAF improved time to task failure from 6.10 ± 1.40 to 7.22 ± 1.30 min ( P < 0.05) and velocity the first 4 km ( P < 0.05) but not overall time usage for the 8-km C-PT. During submaximal exercise subjects reported lower pain in arms and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) following CAF ingestion. Throughout C-PTs similar RPE and pain was shown between treatments. However, higher heart rate was observed during the CAF 8 km (187 ± 7 vs. 185 ± 7; P < 0.05) and 90% C-PT (185 ± 7 vs. 181 ± 9) associated with increased ventilation, blood lactate, glucose, adrenaline, decreased pH, and bicarbonate. The present study demonstrates for the first time that CAF ingestion improves DP time to task failure although not consistently time trial performance during acute exposure to altitude. Mechanisms underpinning improvements seem related to reduced pain RPE and increased heart rate during CAF C-PTs.

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Pole Length’s Influence on Performance During Classic-Style Snow Skiing in Well-Trained Cross-Country Skiers

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2019-0310 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 884-891

Author(s):

Erik Trøen ◽

Bjarne Rud ◽

Øyvind Karlsson ◽

Camilla Høivik Carlsen ◽

Matthias Gilgien ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Body Height ◽

Time Trial ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Flat Terrain ◽

Double Poling ◽

Cross Country ◽

Improved Performance ◽

Maximal Effort

Purpose: To investigate how self-selected pole length (PL) of ∼84% (PL84%) compared with ∼90% (PL90%) of body height influenced performance during a 700-m time trial with undulating terrain on snow. Methods: Twenty-one cross-country skiers, 7 of whom were women, performed 4 trials at a maximal effort in a counterbalanced fashion with PL84% and PL90% separated by 20-minute breaks between trials. In trials I and II, only double poling was allowed, while in trials III and IV, skiers used self-selected classical subtechniques. Continuous speed, cyclic parameters, and heart rate were collected using microsensors in addition to a post-time-trial rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Results: The 700-m times with only double poling were significantly shorter with PL90% than PL84% (mean ± 95% confidence limits –1.6% ± 1.0%). Segment analyses showed higher speed with PL90% in uphill sections than with PL84% (3.7% ± 2.1%), with the greatest difference found for the female skiers (5.6% ± 2.9%). In contrast, on flat terrain at high skiing speeds, speed was reduced with PL90% compared with PL84% (–1.5% ± 1.4%); this was only significant for the male skiers. During free choice of classical subtechniques, PL did not influence performance in any segments, choice of subtechnique, or cycle rate during the trials. No differences in rating of perceived exertion or heart rate between PLs were found. Conclusions: PL90% improved performance in uphills at low speeds when using double poling but hindered performance on flat terrain and at higher speeds compared with self-selected PLs. Choice of PL should, therefore, be based on racecourse topography, preferred subtechniques, and the skier’s physiological and technical abilities.

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Caffeine Increases Performance in Cross-country Double-Poling Time Trial Exercise

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/mss.0b013e3182967948 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 45 (11) ◽

pp. 2175-2183 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

HANS K. STADHEIM ◽

BENT KVAMME ◽

RAYMOND OLSEN ◽

CHRISTIAN A. DREVON ◽

JOHN L. IVY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Trial ◽

Double Poling ◽

Cross Country

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Effects of supplementing with an 18% carbohydrate-hydrogel drink versus a placebo during whole-body exercise in −5 °C with elite cross-country ski athletes: a crossover study

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s12970-019-0317-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Stefan Pettersson ◽

Fredrik Edin ◽

Linda Bakkman ◽

Kerry McGawley

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Time Trial ◽

Substrate Utilization ◽

Carbohydrate Oxidation ◽

Whole Body ◽

Double Poling ◽

Cross Country Skiing ◽

Cross Country ◽

Carbohydrate Solution ◽

Trial Performance

Abstract Background Whilst the ergogenic effects of carbohydrate intake during prolonged exercise are well-documented, few investigations have studied the effects of carbohydrate ingestion during cross-country skiing, a mode of exercise that presents unique metabolic demands on athletes due to the combined use of large upper- and lower-body muscle masses. Moreover, no previous studies have investigated exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates during cross-country skiing. The current study investigated the effects of a 13C-enriched 18% multiple-transportable carbohydrate solution (1:0.8 maltodextrin:fructose) with additional gelling polysaccharides (CHO-HG) on substrate utilization and gastrointestinal symptoms during prolonged cross-country skiing exercise in the cold, and subsequent double-poling time-trial performance in ~ 20 °C. Methods Twelve elite cross-country ski athletes (6 females, 6 males) performed 120-min of submaximal roller-skiing (69.3 ± 2.9% of $$ \dot{\mathrm{V}} $$V̇O2peak) in −5 °C while receiving either 2.2 g CHO-HG·min− 1 or a non-caloric placebo administered in a double-blind, randomized manner. Whole-body substrate utilization and exogenous carbohydrate oxidation was calculated for the last 60 min of the submaximal exercise. The maximal time-trial (2000 m for females, 2400 m for males) immediately followed the 120-min submaximal bout. Repeated-measures ANOVAs with univariate follow-ups were conducted, as well as independent and paired t-tests, and significance was set at P < 0.05. Data are presented as mean ± SD. Results Exogenous carbohydrate oxidation contributed 27.6 ± 6.6% to the total energy yield with CHO-HG and the peak exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rate reached 1.33 ± 0.27 g·min− 1. Compared to placebo, fat oxidation decreased by 9.5 ± 4.8% with CHO-HG, total carbohydrate oxidation increased by 9.5 ± 4.8% and endogenous carbohydrate utilization decreased by 18.1 ± 6.4% (all P < 0.05). No severe gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in either trial and euhydration was maintained in both trials. Time-trial performance (8.4 ± 0.4 min) was not improved following CHO-HG compared to placebo (− 0.8 ± 3.5 s; 95% confidence interval − 3.0 to 1.5 s; P = 0.46). No sex differences were identified in substrate utilization or relative performance. Conclusions Ingestion of an 18% multiple-transportable carbohydrate solution with gelling polysaccharides was found to be well-tolerated during 120 min of submaximal whole-body exercise, but did not improve subsequent maximal double-poling performance.

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Physiological responses and cycle characteristics during double-poling versus diagonal-stride roller-skiing in junior cross-country skiers

European Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1007/s00421-021-04689-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Erik P. Andersson ◽

Irina Hämberg ◽

Paulo Cesar Do Nascimento Salvador ◽

Kerry McGawley

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Uptake ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Blood Lactate Concentration ◽

Peak Oxygen Uptake ◽

Submaximal Exercise ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Time To Exhaustion ◽

Double Poling ◽

Cross Country

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to compare physiological factors and cycle characteristics during cross-country (XC) roller-skiing at matched inclines and speeds using the double-poling (DP) and diagonal-stride (DS) sub-techniques in junior female and male XC skiers. Methods Twenty-three well-trained junior XC skiers (11 women, 12 men; age 18.2 ± 1.2 yr.) completed two treadmill roller-skiing tests in a randomized order using either DP or DS. The exercise protocols were identical and included a 5 min warm-up, 4 × 5 min submaximal stages, and an incremental test to exhaustion, all performed at a 5° incline. Results No significant three-way interactions were observed between sex, submaximal exercise intensity, and sub-technique. For the pooled sample, higher values were observed for DP versus DS during submaximal exercise for the mean oxygen uptake kinetics response time (33%), energy cost (18%), heart rate (HR) (9%), blood lactate concentration (5.1 versus 2.1 mmol·L−1), rating of perceived exertion (12%), and cycle rate (25%), while cycle length was lower (19%) (all P < 0.001). During the time-to-exhaustion (TTE) test, peak oxygen uptake ($$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2peak), peak HR, and peak oxygen pulse were 8%, 2%, and 6% lower, respectively, for DP than DS, with a 29% shorter TTE during DP (pooled data, all P < 0.001). Conclusion In well-trained junior XC skiers, DP was found to exert a greater physiological load than DS during uphill XC roller-skiing at submaximal intensities. During the TTE test, both female and male athletes were able to ski for longer and reached markedly higher $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2peak values when using DS compared to DP.

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