Skiing economy and kinematic during a field double poling roller skiing among novice and experienced cross-country skiers

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 7073
• Main Authors: Zhu, Yang, Wang, Zhiqiang, Li, Ruoyang, Li, Yanyan, Bai, Peng, Gao, Weifeng, Zhong, Yaping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 25.03.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/443; 631/443/319; Biomechanical Phenomena; Double poling; Elbow; Exercise Test; Gas exchange; Humanities and Social Sciences; Kinematics; Knee Joint; Lower Extremity; multidisciplinary; Oxygen; Oxygen Consumption; Oxygen cost; Plantar flexion; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Skiing; Skiing economy; Upper body strength; Oxygen cost; Upper body strength; Double poling; Skiing economy; Kinematics
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57719-2

To assess the skiing economy (SE) and kinematics during double poling (DP) roller skiing between two groups of skiers in a field setting. Five experienced and five novice male skiers performed a SE DP test at 16 km∙h −1 on an outdoor athletics track. Gas exchange parameters were measured to determine SE DP . A two-dimensional video was filmed to measure the kinematics variables. Experienced skiers exhibited a 21% lower oxygen cost than novice skiers (p = 0.016) in DP, indicating a strong association between SE DP , cycle length and cycle rate (p < 0.001). Additionally, before the poling phase, experienced skiers manifested significantly greater maximum hip and knee extension angles than novice skiers (p < 0.001). During the poling phase, experienced skiers with a greater pole plant angle (p = 0.001), longer flexion time (p < 0.001) and higher flexion angular velocity in the elbow joint (p < 0.05) demonstrated better SE DP . There was an interaction effect of the one-repetition maximum bench press × group in SE DP (b = − 0.656, SE = 0.097, t = − 6.78, p = 0.001). Therefore, experienced skiers with better SE DP demonstrated more efficient cycles, potentially accomplished using dynamic full-body DP motion to ascertain effective propulsion. Combined upper body strength and ski-specific skill training may enhance SE DP in novice skiers.