Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Pages: 197-202

Journal: Journal of Applied Biomechanics

Volume number: 33

Issue number: 3

ISSN: 1065-8483

eISSN: 1543-2688

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2016-0071

Publisher: Human Kinetics

Abstract: 
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pole length on energy cost and kinematics in cross country double poling. Seven sub-elite male athletes were tested using pole sets of different lengths (ranging between 77% and 98% of participants' body height). Tests were conducted on a treadmill, set to a 2% incline and an approximate racing speed. Poling forces, contact times, and oxygen uptake were measured throughout the testing. Pole length was positively correlated with ground contact time (r =.57, p <.001) and negatively correlated with poling frequency (r = -.48, p =.003). Pole length was also positively correlated with pole recovery time and propulsive impulse produced per poling cycle (r =.36, p =.031; r =.35, p =.042, respectively). Oxygen uptake and pole length were negatively correlated (r = -.51, p =.004). This acute study shows that increasing pole length for double poling in sub-elite cross country skiers under the given conditions seems to change the poling mechanics in distinct ways, resulting in a more efficient poling action by decreasing an athlete's metabolic cost.

Harvard Citation style: Onasch, F., Killick, A. and Herzog, W. (2017) Is There an Optimal Pole Length for Double Poling in Cross Country Skiing?, Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 33(3), pp. 197-202. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2016-0071

APA Citation style: Onasch, F., Killick, A., & Herzog, W. (2017). Is There an Optimal Pole Length for Double Poling in Cross Country Skiing?. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 33(3), 197-202. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2016-0071