scholarly journals Choice of Pole and Ski Lengths Among Elite Cross-Country Skiers: The Influence of Sex and Performance Level

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per-Øyvind Torvik ◽  
Roland van den Tillaar ◽  
Øyvind Sandbakk
Keyword(s):  
Body Height ◽  
Sprint Performance ◽  
Performance Level ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Secondary Purpose ◽  
Double Poling ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
And Performance

Cross-country (XC) skiers employ whole-body exercise to generate speed through poles and skis. The choice of optimal pole and ski lengths are therefore of high importance. The aim of this study was to document pole and ski lengths among elite male and female cross-country skiers in the classical and skating styles and to investigate sex differences in body-height-normalized pole and ski lengths. Our secondary purpose was to correlate body-height-normalized pole and ski lengths with performance level within both sexes. In total, Norwegian men and women (n = 87 and 36, respectively), participating in the Norwegian XC championship 2020, were investigated. Most athletes used poles close to the length allowed by the International Ski Federation (FIS) in the classical style among both sexes, with men using slightly longer poles than women (p < 0.05). Body-height-normalized pole lengths in skating were similar in men and women (around 90% of body height). Women used relatively longer ski lengths than men in both styles (p < 0.05). Women showed moderate correlations (r = 0.43, p < 0.05) between body-height-normalized pole lengths and sprint performance. Male and female cross-country skiers use as long classical ski poles as possible within the current regulations, while they use skating poles similar to recommendations given by the industry. The fact that men use longer body-height-normalized poles than women, where there is a correlation between pole length and sprint performance, indicate that faster women are able to better utilize the potential of using longer poles when double-poling. However, while women use relatively longer skis than men, no correlation with performance occurred for any of the sexes.

scholarly journals Is There an Optimal Pole Length for Double Poling in Cross Country Skiing?

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Onasch ◽  
Anthony Killick ◽  
Walter Herzog
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Body Height ◽  
Metabolic Cost ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Double Poling ◽  
Acute Study ◽  
Ground Contact Time ◽  
Cross Country Skiing ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
The Given

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pole length on energy cost and kinematics in cross country double poling. Seven sub-elite male athletes were tested using pole sets of different lengths (ranging between 77% and 98% of participants’ body height). Tests were conducted on a treadmill, set to a 2% incline and an approximate racing speed. Poling forces, contact times, and oxygen uptake were measured throughout the testing. Pole length was positively correlated with ground contact time (r = .57, p < .001) and negatively correlated with poling frequency (r = −.48, p = .003). Pole length was also positively correlated with pole recovery time and propulsive impulse produced per poling cycle (r = .36, p = .031; r = .35, p = .042, respectively). Oxygen uptake and pole length were negatively correlated (r = −.51, p = .004). This acute study shows that increasing pole length for double poling in sub-elite cross country skiers under the given conditions seems to change the poling mechanics in distinct ways, resulting in a more efficient poling action by decreasing an athlete’s metabolic cost.

scholarly journals Do exist gender differences in skin temperature of lower limbs following exercise test in male and female cross-country skiers?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Binek ◽  
Z. Drzazga ◽  
T. Socha ◽  
I. Pokora
Keyword(s):  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Exercise Test ◽  
Physiological Parameters ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Response To Exercise

AbstractThe aim of study was to assess the skin temperature changes over selected muscles zones of the lower limbs following an exercise performed at similar relative external workload in 10 male and 6 female high-trained cross-country skiers. The first stage of experiment involved preliminary exercise to determine individual oxygen uptake VO2max and anaerobic threshold. The second stage experimental exercise consisted of 60 min running on treadmill with 80% of determined VO2max Thermographic imaging of lower limbs was performed, before, immediately after exercise and during recovery. Physiological parameters: VO2, MET—metabolic energy equivalent, heart rate and internal temperature were assessed at rest and at the end of exercise, respectively. Infrared thermography showed that at rest the skin temperature over lower limb muscles was significantly higher in men than in women. In response to exercise an increase in skin temperature over the studied muscles was significantly higher in women than men. Since was no significant difference in skin temperature in men and women after exercise. Before the test, no physiological parameter was significantly different in women and men. Exercise test reveled significant differences between men and women in some physiological parameters such as VO2 and MET. Our study showed that there are significant differences in lower limbs skin temperature between male and female at rest but not at the end of exercise test. Women in comparison with men had a greater increase in skin temperature in response to exercise and a persistence of elevated temperature over muscles of lower limbs after exercise.

scholarly journals Shooting efficiency and structure of shooting in 3 × 3 basketball compared to 5v5 basketball

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-98
Author(s):  
Frane Erčulj ◽  
Matic Vidic ◽  
Bojan Leskošek
Keyword(s):  
Olympic Games ◽  
Performance Level ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Age Category

This article presents and analyses certain playing characteristics of men's and women's 3 × 3 basketball in relation to shooting at the basket. Our intention was to compare this young and developing basketball discipline with the more established and traditional 5v5 basketball. For this purpose, over 400 matches were analysed in the U18 age category during the men’s and women’s European Championship (5v5 Basketball) and the Youth Olympic Games (3 × 3 Basketball). The research confirms some differences in the efficiency and structure of shooting. It can generally be said that male and female 3 × 3 basketball players take more long-distance shots (behind the 6.75 m line) and take fewer free throws than their counterparts in 5v5 basketball. When shooting from behind the 6.75 m line, both male and female 3 × 3 basketball players are less efficient than their 5v5 basketball counterparts, and similar applies to free throws. The reasons for these differences may entail many factors, including differences in the game rules, the playing conditions on outdoor courts, different technical and tactical requirements and the characteristics (style) of playing as well as the quality and performance level of basketball players.

Effect of Cold Conditions on Double Poling Sprint Performance of Well-Trained Male Cross-Country Skiers

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 3377-3383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øystein N. Wiggen ◽  
Silje H. Waagaard ◽  
Cecilie T. Heidelberg ◽  
Juha Oksa
Keyword(s):  
Sprint Performance ◽  
Double Poling ◽  
Cross Country

scholarly journals Has Covid-19 increased gender inequalities in professional advancement? Cross-country evidence on productivity differences between male and female software developers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Hipp ◽  
Markus Konrad
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Forecast Model ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Professional Advancement ◽  
Software Developers ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Cross Country

Objective: This article analyzed gender differences in professional advancement following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic based on data from open-source software developers in 37 countries. Background: Men and women may have been affected differently from the social distancing measures implemented to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. Given that men and women tend to work in different jobs and that they have been unequally involved in childcare duties, school and workplace closings may have impacted men’s and women’s professional lives unequally. Method: We analyzed original data from the world’s largest social coding community, GitHub. We first estimated a Holt-Winters forecast model to compare the predicted and the observed average weekly productivity of a random sample of male and female developers (N=177,480) during the first lockdown period in 2020. To explain the cross-country variation in the gendered effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on software developers’ productivity, we estimated two-way fixed effects models with different lockdown measures as predictors – school and workplace closures, in particular. Results: In most countries, both male and female developers were, on average, more productive than predicted, and productivity increased for both genders with increasing lockdown stringency. When examining the effects of the most relevant types of lockdown measures separately, we found that stay-at-home restrictions increased both men’s and women’s productivity and that workplace closures also increased the number of weekly contributions on average – but for women, only when schools were open. Conclusion: Having found gender differences in the effect of workplace closures contingent on school and daycare closures within a population that is relatively young and unlikely to have children (software developers), we conclude that the Covid-19 pandemic may indeed have contributed to increased gender inequalities in professional advancement.

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

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-217 ◽  
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.

Double Poling Kinematics and Performance in Cross-Country Skiing

1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald A. Smith ◽  
Jon B. Fewster ◽  
Steven M. Braudt
Keyword(s):  
Cycle Length ◽  
Slope Movement ◽  
Elbow Extension ◽  
Considerable Variability ◽  
Trunk Flexion ◽  
Shoulder Flexion ◽  
Double Poling ◽  
Cross Country Skiing ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
And Performance

Olympic skiers in the women's 30-km race were analyzed as they double poled on a moderate downhill slope. Movement patterns of 20 skiers were analyzed 10 from a top finishing group and 10 from slower finishers in the bottom third of the field. Skiers in the faster group not only were faster overall in the race but were faster as they double poled through the site (6.75 vs. 6.43 m/s). Cycle length was significantly correlated with cycle velocity (r = .81). Trunk flexion and shoulder extension during poling were similar between groups; however, considerable variability of shoulder positioning was noted for both groups of skiers. Distinct shoulder-elbow-pole positioning differences were noted among skiers. Disadvantageous positionin» of the shoulder at the beginning of poling was related to poorer pole inclination during elbow extension. While many skiers in both fast and slow groups double poled with good positioning, others would benefit from greater shoulder flexion to maximize double poling performance.

scholarly journals Gender and Weight among Thoroughbred Jockeys: Underrepresented Women and Underweight Men

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 237802311771259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul T. von Hippel ◽  
Caroline G. Rutherford ◽  
Katherine M. Keyes
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
General Population ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Thoroughbred Racing

Discrimination can damage health by limiting an occupation to persons who are physically unsuited to it. In thoroughbred racing, male jockeys damage their health to reach racing weights, while women who could reach those weights more easily are excluded. The authors estimate the number of U.S. men and women who are light enough to work as jockeys and contrast them with the number of male and female jockeys. The authors contrast the distribution of body mass index in the general population and among top jockeys. Male jockeys outnumber female jockeys by 7 to 1, and by 50 to 1 in top races, and these numbers have not declined since the 1990s. Yet among adults who are light enough to work as jockeys, women outnumber men by at least 7 to 1, and women are half as likely to be underweight. Jockeys’ health and performance might improve if barriers to women were lowered.

Kinematic Analysis of Olympic Discus Throwers

1985 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Gregor ◽  
William C. Whiting ◽  
Raymond W. McCoy
Keyword(s):  
Kinematic Analysis ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Body Height ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Arm Position ◽  
Gold Silver ◽  
Foot Position

The purpose of this investigation was to record the performance of all male and female competitors in the discus throw during the 1984 Olympic Games. The final rounds of the men's and women's discus throw were filmed at 120 fps using two high-speed 16mm LoCam cameras. Height, angle, and velocity of the discus and the thrower's trunk angle were measured at release in the best three throws of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medalists in both the men's and women's division. Little difference was observed between men and women regarding the angle and velocity of release, and results were comparable with those from previous studies on elite performers. But differences were observed in foot position at release and height of release between men and women. It appeared the men had more vertical thrust in taking them off the ground prior to release and, even relative to their greater body height, released the discus with a higher arm position. The three-dimensional nature of this event precludes any further interpretation at this time.

scholarly journals Análisis de la velocidad adoptada en corredores de Maratón (Analysis of the pacing strategies used by Marathon runners)

Retos ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 156-159
Author(s):  
José Joaquín Díaz-Martín ◽  
Eduardo J. Fernández-Ozcorta ◽  
Pablo Floría ◽  
Jordan Santos-Concejero
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Final Section ◽  
Performance Level ◽  
Marathon Runners ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Pacing Strategy ◽  
Athletic Status ◽  
Pacing Strategies ◽  
And Performance

El propósito de este estudio fue analizar la influencia del nivel de rendimiento y sexo sobre los ritmos de carrera adoptados por atletas en tres maratones con perfiles muy parecidos en cuanto a recorrido y condiciones ambientales. Se analizaron 14420 atletas, 13387 hombres y 1034 mujeres. Los resultados indicaron que existían diferencias entre sexos en todos los tramos. Asimismo, hubo diferencias entre grupos con diferentes niveles de rendimiento, tanto en hombres como en mujeres. También se encontraron diferencias en las velocidades de cada tramo entre los diferentes ritmos empleadas en ambos sexos (54% hombres y 50% mujeres), siendo las mayores diferencias encontradas entre el primer y último tramo. Por lo general, el ritmo más utilizado durante la competición es aquel en que el atleta ralentiza su velocidad en el transcurso de los 42km. Este estudio ha demostrado que independientemente del sexo y el rendimiento, los atletas adoptan en su gran mayoría un ritmo positivo para completar un maratón. Abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of gender and athletic status on race pacing strategies used by runners in three marathons with similar profiles in terms of itinerary and environmental conditions. A total of 14420 athletes were analyzed, 13387 men and 1034 women. The results indicated that there were pacing differences between men and women in all sections. Furthermore, differences between groups of different athletic status in both men and women were observed. The biggest differences were found in the first and the final section. In general, the pacing strategy that athletes used the most (54% in men and 50% in women) was positive. This study shows that regardless of gender and performance level, the majority of athletes adopt a positive pacing strategy to complete a marathon.

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