Effect of Sitting Posture on Sit-Skiing Economy in Non-disabled Athletes.

This study focused on resolving the differences in economy between two common sit-skiing postures used by disabled athletes, suspected to be the most and least effective. Ten experienced non-disabled male cross-country skiers went through an incremental testing protocol with an ergometer simulating double poling in two sitting postures "kneeing" and "knee-high." The protocol consisted of 3 × 4 min steady-state stages (13, 22, and 34% of maximal sprint power output).

Changes Over a Decade in Anthropometry and Fitness of Elite Austrian Youth Soccer Players.

Increases in physical (e.g., high-intensity running and sprinting), technical (e.

Comparison of Exclusive Double Poling to Classic Techniques of Cross-country Skiing.

Introduction: This study aimed to 1) determine basic physiological demands during a simulated on-snow cross-country skiing (XCS) race when using grip-waxed skis (all classic XCS techniques [CLASSIC]), versus glide-waxed skis for exclusive double poling (DP) and 2) analyze in which track sections DP is different from CLASSIC under controlled gliding conditions in elite junior and senior skiers.

Methods: Nineteen male and female elite XC skiers performed 1) two randomized simulated XCS races over 5.3 km using DP or CLASSIC measuring section times, V˙O2, HR, blood lactate, and RPE; and 2) V˙O2peak tests using diagonal stride and DP on treadmill.

Technical determinants of biathlon standing shooting performance before and after race simulation.

The aim of this study was to identify performance-determining factors in biathlon standing shooting in rest and after intense exercise. Eight Finnish national- and nine junior-team biathletes participated in the study. Participants fired 40 resting shots (REST) and 2 × 5 competition simulation shots (LOAD) after 5 minutes of roller skiing at 95% of peak heart rate.

Kinematic analysis of proximal-to-distal and simultaneous motion sequencing of straight punches.

Consecutive proximal-to-distal sequencing of motion is considered to be integral for generating high velocity of distal segments in many sports. Simultaneous usage of proximal and distal segments as seen in martial arts is by far less well investigated. Therefore, the aim of the study was to characterise and differentiate the concepts of consecutive (CSM) and simultaneous (SSM) sequence of motion in straight reverse punches as practised in Practical Wing Chun.

Factors Discriminating High From Low Score Performance in Biathlon Shooting.

Purpose: To identify biomechanical predictors that distinguish between high- and low-score athletes in biathlon shooting and to determine the relationships among these variables in field testing.

Methods: Twenty-two biathletes (8 female, 14 male) from the World Cup, the European Cup, and a federal youth squad each fired 3 clips of 5 shots in prone and standing shooting positions without physical load, followed by 2 respective series in both disciplines during a simulated 12.5-km pursuit race on roller skis.

The effect of swinging the arms on muscle activation and production of leg force during ski skating at different skiing speeds.

The study investigated the effects of arm swing during leg push-off in V2-alternate/G4 skating on neuromuscular activation and force production by the leg muscles. Nine skilled cross-country skiers performed V2-alternate skating without poles at moderate, high, and maximal speeds, both with free (SWING) and restricted arm swing (NOSWING). Maximal speed was 5% greater in SWING (P<0.

Biomechanical characteristics and speed adaptation during kick double poling on roller skis in elite cross-country skiers.

Recent developments in cross-country ski racing should promote the use of kick double poling. This technique, however, has not been the focus in athletes' training and has barely been investigated. The aims of the present study were to develop a function-based phase definition and to analyse speed adaptation mechanisms for kick double poling in elite cross-country skiers.

Kinematic differences of elite and high-performance tennis players in the cross court and down the line forehand.

This study identified and compared the full body kinematics of different skill levels in the forehand groundstroke when balls were hit cross court and down the line. Forty-three three-dimensional retroreflective marker trajectories of six elite and seven high-performance players were recorded using an eight-camera 400 Hz, Vicon motion analysis system. The six highest horizontal velocity forehands with reliable kinematics of all participants were analysed for each specific situation (a total of 156 analysed shots).

How do elite cross-country skiers adapt to different double poling frequencies at low to high speeds?

The purpose of the study was to examine the biomechanical-physiological effects of different frequencies using the double poling technique in cross-country skiing. Nine elite skiers roller-skied using poling frequencies of 40, 60 and 80 cycles·min(-1) (Pf(40,) Pf(60), Pf(80)) at submaximal treadmill speeds (12, 18, 24 km·h(-1)). Cycle characteristics, pole forces, joint angles and physiological responses were measured.

Biomechanical pole and leg characteristics during uphill diagonal roller skiing.

Diagonal skiing as a major classical technique has hardly been investigated over the last two decades, although technique and racing velocities have developed substantially. The aims of the present study were to 1) analyse pole and leg kinetics and kinematics during submaximal uphill diagonal roller skiing and 2) identify biomechanical factors related to performance. Twelve elite skiers performed a time to exhaustion (performance) test on a treadmill.

Changes in upper body muscle activity with increasing double poling velocities in elite cross-country skiing.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) contraction is integrated in neuromuscular activation in upper body muscles during double poling in cross-country skiing. Thirteen elite skiers performed double poling roller-skiing at increasing treadmill velocities of 9, 15, 21, 27 km h(-1) and their individual maximal velocity. Elbow angle, axial pole force and surface EMG in the triceps brachii, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi and teres major muscle were recorded.

Control of speed during the double poling technique performed by elite cross-country skiers.

Purpose: Double poling (DP) as a main technique in cross-country skiing has developed substantially over the last 15 yr. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the question, "How do modern elite skiers control DP speed?"

Methods: Twelve male elite cross-country skiers roller skied using DP at 9, 15, 21, and 27 km.h(-1) and maximum velocity (V(max)).