Asymmetrical fatiguing of the gluteus maximus muscles in the elite short-track female skaters

Abstract

Background: According to research, fast skating on short distances increases functional asymmetry of leg muscles. As has been proven in many sporting disciplines, this asymmetry can increase the risk of injury. The aim of the study was to analyze the level of right and left myolectrical manifestations of fatigue asymmetry of gluteus maximus muscle in elite skaters on a short track and to compare this phenomenon to a control group. The muscles were chosen deliberately, due to their influence in maintaining the right position during training on ice. Methods: The experiment compared a group of eight members of the Polish Women's National Team in short track with a group of eight non-training people. The subjects did the Biering-Sorensen test, in which sEMG (surface electromyography) signal frequency was measured in the gluteus maximus muscles during an isometric contraction. Myolectrical manifestations of fatigue slopes were analyzed with a ANOVA with repeated measures. In the skaters, the myolectrical manifestations of fatigue differed between the right and the left gluteus maximus muscles. All the skaters had higher myolectrical manifestations of fatigue in the right leg. This phenomenon was not observed in the non-training subjects, who on average had similar myolectrical manifestations of fatigue in both legs. Results: Results showed that the right and the left muscles of the skaters in the experimental group differed in myolectrical manifestations of fatigue, but this difference was non-significant in the control group. The subjects from the two groups did not differ in the myolectrical manifestations of fatigue of the left muscle, they did in the myolectrical manifestations of fatigue of the right muscle. The elite speed-track skaters had higher myolectrical manifestations of fatigue in the right muscle than the non-training subjects. Conclusions: Training should thus be planned in a way that minimizes the risk of causing muscle myolectrical manifestations of fatigue asymmetry in skaters despite the typically asymmetrical muscle work during training on ice and competition, thus new training protocols should be developed or considered to decrease that asymmetry. Trial registration: The tests were previously approved by the Bioethical Commission of the Chamber of Physicians in Opole. (Resolution No. 235 of 13 December 2016).

How Ice Rink Locations Affect Performance Time in Short-Track Speed Skating

“…These abilities constitute critical components to elevate performance and lower injury risks during training and competition and attract researchers to study the functionalities of specific muscles. For instance, training should be arranged to minimize the risk of causing fatigue asymmetry of the gluteus maximus muscle in skaters (Konieczny et al, 2020 ), and the decreased muscle activity of the tibialis anterior and rectus femoris shows the highest relationship with the reduction in skating speed both straight or in the curve (Felser et al, 2016 ). Interestingly, geographical factors of the venues also significantly affect performance time.…”

Asymmetry and changes in the neuromuscular profile of short-track athletes as a result of strength training

“…Scientific research on skaters has proven that in short-track, the muscles of the right lower limb are more loaded when skating, which is related to the specific character of this discipline. This was determined using EMG [ 23 , 35 , 36 ], for example, and after checking the desaturation (reduction in blood oxygen-saturation) of the extensor muscles of the thigh [ 37 ]. When training in this discipline, it is extremely difficult to balance the work of both lower limbs.…”

Monitoring Variables Influence on Random Forest Models to Forecast Injuries in Short-Track Speed Skating

“…Lower limb injuries are another variable worth tracking in short-track speed skating. Lower limb asymmetries have already been pointed out as potential injury risk factors in this sport (Konieczny et al, 2020). In addition, the athletes skate in a crouched posture, which could be responsible for lower back and lumbar discomfort (Hesford et al, 2012).…”

“…Short-track speed skating is a highly interactive middle distance sport, which consists in performing multiple laps on the ice at high speed, including tight corners and up to nine athletes in a single race (Hesford et al, 2012 ; Menting et al, 2019 ; Konieczny et al, 2020 ). It has been studied mostly for its biomechanical aspect (Hesford et al, 2012 ; Kim et al, 2019 ; Konieczny et al, 2020 ), as well as its strategic and pacing dimensions (Haug et al, 2015 ; Konings et al, 2016 ; Konings and Hettinga, 2018 ; Menting et al, 2019 ). This sport induces important leg asymmetries (Hesford et al, 2012 ; Konieczny et al, 2020 ), which are suspected to put the athletes particularly at risk of sustaining added injuries in the lower limb regions (Konieczny et al, 2020 ).…”

“…It has been studied mostly for its biomechanical aspect (Hesford et al, 2012 ; Kim et al, 2019 ; Konieczny et al, 2020 ), as well as its strategic and pacing dimensions (Haug et al, 2015 ; Konings et al, 2016 ; Konings and Hettinga, 2018 ; Menting et al, 2019 ). This sport induces important leg asymmetries (Hesford et al, 2012 ; Konieczny et al, 2020 ), which are suspected to put the athletes particularly at risk of sustaining added injuries in the lower limb regions (Konieczny et al, 2020 ). Within the Canadian National Female Short-Track Speed Skating Program, over the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons, athletes have lost on average 75 ± 45 training or competition days due to injuries, which represents 12 ± 7% of lost training and/or competition opportunities per athlete, over two seasons.…”