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Mechanical Energy and Kinematics of Double Poling Technique Performed at Different Inclines by World-Level Cross-Country Skiers During World Cup Races

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Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the inter-limb coordination patterns and energy recovery of elite cross-country skiers performing double poling (DP).

Methods

Thirty-three elite athletes in three track sections of FIS-WC races, with different slopes (2°, 0° and − 1.5°). Stereo vision capture system (50 Hz cameras) and 3D analysis were used to extract: kinematic parameters (center of gravity, velocity); joint angles and angular velocities; energy (potential and kinetic) and energy recovery indices R% and R(t) during the entire DP cycle and within poling (Rpol) and swing phase (Rswi).

Results

Average race velocity of the centre of gravity (Vave) significantly varied according to slopes (5.4, 7.3 and 8.3 m/s). This correlated with differences in the angular velocities of the most relevant joints. Elbow flexion angular velocity in the early portion of poling phase was higher according to the slope variations (− 137, − 171 and − 202 deg/s, for the slopes 2°, 0° and − 1.5°, respectively), indicating the possible modulation of muscular stretch shortening cycle (SSC). A similar trend was observed for shoulder angular velocity which increased during poling phase, and for knee extension velocity during swing phase, and for knee extension velocity during swing phase. R% decreased significantly for the − 1.5° slope (32% and 24% vs. 15%); R(t) was higher for the Rswi. Significant differences were observed in trunk-elbow, trunk-shoulder, trunk-knee and elbow-shoulder patterns for the − 1.5° slope with respect to the others.

Conclusions

Despite the modest variation of the track’s slope, the effects on propulsion and recovery strategies were different.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Istruzione Superiore Alberti Di Bormio, FISI-STF Italy, Via Monte Confinale, 10, 23032, Bormio, SO, Italy

    Arrigo Canclini

  2. Dipartimento Di Elettronica Informazione E Bioingegneria, Politecnico Di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Antonio Canclini & Guido Baroni

  3. Università Di Medicina, Udine, Italy

    Renzo Pozzo

  4. Centre for Health and Performance at the Department of Food and Nutrition and Sport Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Stefan Lindinger

Authors
  1. Arrigo Canclini
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  2. Antonio Canclini
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  3. Guido Baroni
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  4. Stefan Lindinger
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  5. Renzo Pozzo
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Contributions

All authors conceived and designed the study. All authors contributed to manuscript preparation, revisions and approved the final version.

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Correspondence to Arrigo Canclini.

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Written informed assent and consent was obtained from participants and their parent/guardian, respectively.

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Canclini, A., Canclini, A., Baroni, G. et al. Mechanical Energy and Kinematics of Double Poling Technique Performed at Different Inclines by World-Level Cross-Country Skiers During World Cup Races. J. of SCI. IN SPORT AND EXERCISE 3, 270–280 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-021-00128-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-021-00128-y

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