european college of sport science

CADENCE ADAPTATIONS OF DOUBLE POLING TECHNIQUE IN ELITE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS
LINDINGER, S.J., HOLMBERG, H.C.
UNIVERSITY OF SALZBURG
PP-BM01 Biomechanics 1
During the last decade, double poling (DP) became a main classical technique in cross-country (XC) ski racing. A recent study analyzed
speed influence on biomechanics of DP and found increases in poling frequency, cycle length, peak pole force, flexion and extension
ranges of motion and angular velocities in arm and leg joints and decreases in poling time and time to peak pole force (Lindinger et al,
2009). Cadence and its influence on exercise is well investigated in different cyclical activities like running, race walking, swimming, etc.
(Marais et al. 2003) but rarely anaylzed in XC skiing (Millet et al. 1998). The purpose of a bigger project was to answer the question “Does
an optimal cadence exist and which factors determine the choice of cadence?”. The aim of the current biomechanical study was to
analyze the influence of different cadences on three submaximal velocities during DP.
10 elite XC skiers roller skied using DP at three given cadences (40, 60 and 80 pole thrusts per min [t •min-1]) performed at three submaximal
treadmill velocities (12, 18, 24 km•h-1). Joint angles (Noraxon, Germany), EMG activity of triceps brachii and axial pole forces
(strain gauge system) were measured by Noraxon-System (Germany). Repeated ANOVA were calculated to analyze changes in all variables
across cadences at all speeds (statistical level P