SKI SKATING TECHNIQUE CHOICE: MECHANICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Ski skating technique choice can potentially influence economy of motion which in turn affects racing performance. Comparisons of skating techniques have demonstrated that uphill slope can influence the relative advantage of one technique versus another. On slopes greater than about 4 to 5 degrees, V1 technique may have physiological advantages over V2 technique. Mechanically this can be explained by positioning differences of skis and poles such that relatively little propulsive force can be generated from the skis using V2. Thus V2 technique demands greater upper body propulsion compared to V1 which produces more propulsive force from each leg's skating stroke. The relatively smaller muscle mass of the upper extremity compared to the legs may explain the greater physiological demands when using V2 skating on uphill terrain.