A Simple Mechanical Model for Simulating Cross-Country Skiing Propulsive Force

Abstract

In this paper, a three-dimensional multibody dynamic model of a cross-country skier is developed and presented where a single propulsion phase is modeled to obtain the kinetic parameters involved in the movement. A professional Olympic-level skier performed the skating technique without poles in a ski tunnel under controlled conditions and on an incline plane. Then, with the use of a force acquisition system attached to the ski bindings and a motion capture system set on site, the leg resultant forces and the movement of specific points of the skier’s lower body were acquired. The data obtained from the motion capture system was used as the prescribed kinematic input data in the multibody model and the measured force was used later as a comparison parameter with the results of the simple model. After simulating the technique, the calculated propulsion forces seem to be in agreement with those measured in the field.