Ski skating technique and physiological responses across slopes and speeds

Abstract

Appropriate technique choice may affect ski performance. V2 ski skating technique has in recent years become more widely applied on uphill terrain where V1 technique has typically been used. This investigation compared physiological responses of skiers using V1 and V2 techniques during uphill treadmill roller-skiing. Part 1: six skiers from B-level national ski teams participated in technique comparisons performed under six uphill conditions (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 degrees) with speeds selected so external work was approximately constant for each slope. The 12 trials of 5-min steady-state skating were randomly distributed across two test sessions of six trials each. Heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO(2)), blood lactate concentration (La) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Part 2: 15 skiers from A-level and B-level national ski teams participated in V1-V2 technique comparison on constant slope (5 degrees) with five speeds ranging from 2.25 to 3.25 m s(-1). In two test sessions of V1 or V2 skating (randomly assigned for 2 days) similar characteristics as Part 1 were measured. Across all variables consistent responses were observed for both the experimental parts. As slope increased, V2 skating became increasingly costly compared to V1 skating. At constant slope across the range of speeds, V2 was more costly than V1 skating. This suggests that it may be disadvantageous for skiers to use V2 instead of V1 skating technique on moderate to steep uphill terrain. Doing so may result in elevated HR, La, and VO(2) compared to V1 skating at the same speed.

Gait models and mechanical energy in three cross-country skiing techniques

“…The biomechanical differences between roller skiing on the ground and skiing on snow (Dillman and Dufek, 1983;Baumann, 1985) seem to be attributable to differences in friction (Hoffman et al, 1995a). The coefficient of friction measured in our study (μ=0.024) is comparable to that reported when roller skiing on a treadmill by others (Kvamme et al, 2005;Hoffman et al, 1998;Sandbakk et al, 2010;Sandbakk et al, 2012) whereas the friction coefficient for skiing on snow can vary between 0.02 and 0.10 (Colbeck, 1994): similar to our value or up to five times larger. It can thus be calculated that the work against friction can be as large as 50% (DS), 81% (DP) and 62% (DK) of the total external work (for μ=0.10) compared with the 17%, 32% and 24% percentages found in this study (μ=0.024).…”

The influence of incline and speed on work rate, gross efficiency and kinematics of roller ski skating

“…The 2% incline was chosen to simulate relatively flat terrain (rather than 0%, to compensate for the lack of air drag on the treadmill and the fact that roller skis have less friction than skiing on snow) and the 8% incline represented the steepest incline on which it is advantageous for good skiers to use the G3 technique, according to Kvamme et al (2005). The combinations of speed and incline employed here were based on pilot testing designed to achieve exercise of similar intensities at both inclines, as well as to simulate typical conditions encountered in connection with training and competition.…”

The Comparative Analysis of Free Technique Cross Country and Skating on Roller Skies

“…1-3) was accepted by FIS international rules as a second technique in this winter sport in 1985. So it took a big step after 1985 (Kvamme, B.;Jakobsen, V.;Hetlan, S.;& Smith, G., 2005). Skating technique is more economical and about 23 % faster than classical technique (Street, McNittGray, & Nelson, 1986;Gerald & Brian, 1994).…”

“…In these parts, the V-1 is used. A one pole-push in one step is typical for V-1 technique (also called ''paddling'', ''offset'', ''gear 2'' and other names) is generally considered as an uphill technique and uses both poles in an asymmetrical and asynchronous pole plant combined with a skating stroke on one side but not on the other side (Kvamme, B.;Jakobsen, V.;Hetlan, S.;Smith, G., 2005).…”

“…V-2 technique (also called ''double dance'', ''one skate'' and ''gear 3'') is usually viewed as a higher speed technique to be used under faster conditions on flat terrain or to maintain momentum over short uphills. It is a symmetrical skating technique utilizing a double pole plant with a skating stroke on each side (Kvamme, B.;Jakobsen, V.;Hetlan, S.;& Smith, G., 2005).…”