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Jonsson Kårström M, Stöggl T, Ohlsson ML, McGawley K, Laaksonen MS. Kinematical effects of rifle carriage on roller skiing in well-trained female and male biathletes. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2023; 33:444-454. [PMID: 36408766 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate how rifle carriage and skiing speed during biathlon roller skiing affect range of motion (ROM) in joint angles and equipment (skis and poles), the vertical distance between shoulders and treadmill (vertdist ), as well as possible sex differences associated with rifle carriage. METHODS Fourteen biathletes (6 women, 8 men) roller-skied on a treadmill at submaximal and simulated race speeds, with (WR) and without (NR) a rifle, using gears 3 and 2. Kinematical data for the whole body, poles, roller-skis, rifle, and treadmill were monitored using a 3D motion capture system. Movements determined as flexion/extension (x), abduction/adduction (y), and/or internal/external rotation (z) were analyzed for the hip, shoulder, thorax, knee, ankle, elbow, poles, and roller skis. ROM (the difference between maximal and minimal angles) in joints and equipment, and vertdist were analyzed over six skiing cycles during each condition (WR and NR) and speed. RESULTS The maximal vertdist was lower for WR compared with NR (gear 3: 1.53 ± 0.06 vs 1.54 ± 0.06 m; gear 2: 1.49 ± 0.06 vs 1.51 ± 0.06 m; both p < 0.001). ROM in the upper body was altered when roller skiing WR (movements decreased in thorax and shoulder (x) and increased in elbow (only gear 3) (x), thorax (only gear 2), and shoulder (y) and (z); all p < 0.05) and increased with speed, without differences between sexes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Since rifle carriage and speed appear to affect the kinematics of roller skiing, coaches, and biathletes are advised to perform skiing technique training under competition-like conditions (i.e., at race speeds while carrying the rifle).
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Jonsson Kårström
- Department of Health Science, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Thomas Stöggl
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.,Red Bull Athlete Performance Center, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Marie Lund Ohlsson
- Department of Health Science, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Kerry McGawley
- Department of Health Science, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Marko S Laaksonen
- Department of Health Science, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
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Jonsson Kårström M, Staunton C, McGawley K, Björklund G, Laaksonen MS. Rifle carriage affects gear distribution during on-snow skiing in female and male biathletes. J Sports Sci 2023; 40:2722-2731. [PMID: 37023785 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2023.2189796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
The aim was to investigate whether rifle carriage affects gear distribution during on-snow skiing in highly-trained biathletes, and whether there were any associated sex differences. Twenty-eight biathletes (11 women, 17 men) skied a 2230-m lap at competition speed twice, one lap with the rifle (WR) and the other lap without the rifle (NR). The biathletes wore a portable 3D-motion analysis system while skiing, which enabled characterisation of distance and time in different gears. Skiing WR increased lap time compared to NR (412 (90) vs. 395 (91) s, p < 0.001). The biathletes used gear 2 to a greater extent WR compared to NR (distance: 413 ± 139 vs. 365 ± 142 m; time: 133 (95) vs. 113 (86) s; both p < 0.001) and gear 3 less (distance: 713 ± 166 vs. 769 ± 182 m, p < 0.001; time: 141 ± 33 vs. 149 ± 37 s, p = 0.008), with similar patterns for women and men. Differences between WR and NR in the use of gears 3 and 2 were more extensive for moderate compared to steeper uphill terrain. Rifle carriage increased the use of gear 2, which was negatively associated with performance. Therefore, preparing biathletes to be able to cover more distance in gear 3 WR, especially in moderate uphill terrain, may improve biathlon skiing performance.
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Staunton CA, Sloof L, Brandts M, Jonsson Kårström M, Laaksonen MS, Björklund G. The Effect of Rifle Carriage on the Physiological and Accelerometer Responses During Biathlon Skiing. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:813784. [PMID: 35399594 PMCID: PMC8990322 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.813784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Investigate the effect of biathlon rifle carriage on physiological and accelerometer-derived responses during biathlon skiing. Methods Twenty-eight biathletes (11F, 17M) completed two XC skiing time-trials (~2,300 m), once with and once without the biathlon rifle, with concurrent measurements of HR, skiing speed and accelerations recorded from three triaxial accelerometers attached at the Upper-spine, Lower-spine and Pelvis. Exercise intensity was quantified from HR, skiing speed as well from accelerometry-derived PlayerLoad™ per minute (PL·min-1) and average net force (AvFNet). All metrics were analyzed during Uphill, Flat and Downhill sections of the course. Relationships between accelerometry-derived metrics and skiing speed were examined. Results Time-trials were faster for males compared with females (mean difference: 97 ± 73 s) and No-Rifle compared to With-Rifle (mean difference: 16 ± 9 s). HR was greatest during Downhill (183 ± 5 bpm), followed by Uphill (181 ± 5 bpm) and was lowest in the Flat sections (177 ± 6 bpm, p <0.05). For PL·min-1 and AvFNet there were 3-way Rifle x Gradient x Sensor-Position interactions. Typically, these metrics were greatest during Uphill and Flat sections and were lowest during Downhill sections. Rifle carriage had no impact on the AvFNet at the Lower-Spine or Pelvis. Significant positive linear relationships were identified between skiing speed and accelerometer-derived metrics during Uphill, Flat and Downhill skiing (r = 0.12-0.61, p < 0.05). Conclusions The accelerometry-derived approach used in this study provides the potential of a novel method of monitoring the external demands during skiing. In particular, AvFNet with sensors located close to the center of mass displayed greatest utility because it followed the expected response of external intensity where responses were greatest during uphill sections, followed by flats and lowest during downhills. In addition, there were significant positive relationships between AvFNet and skiing speed ranging from small to large. Accelerometry-derived measures could provide useful estimates of the external demands in XC skiing and biathlon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig A Staunton
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Faculty of Human Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Luciën Sloof
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Faculty of Human Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Maxime Brandts
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Faculty of Human Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.,Institute of Sports Science, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Malin Jonsson Kårström
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Faculty of Human Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Marko S Laaksonen
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Faculty of Human Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Glenn Björklund
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Faculty of Human Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
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Heinrich A, Stoll O, Cañal-Bruland R. A Biopsychosocial Framework to Guide Interdisciplinary Research on Biathlon Performance. Front Psychol 2021; 12:671901. [PMID: 33995230 PMCID: PMC8116492 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.671901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Heinrich
- Department of Sport Psychology, Sport Pedagogy and Sport Sociology, Institute of Sport Science, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Oliver Stoll
- Department of Sport Psychology, Sport Pedagogy and Sport Sociology, Institute of Sport Science, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Rouwen Cañal-Bruland
- Department for the Psychology of Human Movement and Sport, Institute of Sport Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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Laaksonen MS, Andersson E, Jonsson Kårström M, Lindblom H, McGawley K. Laboratory-Based Factors Predicting Skiing Performance in Female and Male Biathletes. Front Sports Act Living 2020; 2:99. [PMID: 33345089 PMCID: PMC7739653 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2020.00099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Skiing in biathlon is a high-intensity, intermittent endurance discipline. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between laboratory-derived physiological variables and skiing performance during a field-based biathlon competition (BC) for female and male biathletes. Fourteen female (23 ± 3 year, V˙O2max 56 ± 4 mL·kg−1·min−1) and 14 male (24 ± 4 year, V˙O2max 66 ± 3 mL·kg−1·min−1) biathletes performed a submaximal incremental test and a maximal time-trial (TT) using treadmill roller-skiing for the assessment of oxygen uptake at a lactate threshold of 4 mmol·L−1 (V˙O2@4mmol), gross efficiency (GE), aerobic (MRae) and anaerobic (MRan) metabolic rates, peak oxygen consumption (V˙O2peak), anaerobic capacity and TT performance. Field-based skiing performance was assessed during a BC. The TT and BC skiing performances were significantly correlated in both sexes (r = 0.68–0.69, p < 0.01). V˙O2peak (31/21%), anaerobic capacity (1/0%), and GE (35/32%) explained 67 and 52% of the variance in BC skiing performance for the females (p < 0.01) and males (p = 0.051), respectively. A second model showed that V˙O2@4mmol (30/35%), anaerobic capacity (0/0%) and GE (37/13%) explained 67 and 48% of the variance in BC skiing performance for the females (p < 0.01) and males (p = 0.077), respectively. Results of this study suggest that a high V˙O2@4mmol and GE, but not anaerobic capacity, are important for BC skiing performance, especially for females. In addition, a laboratory-based TT could be useful for regular laboratory testing of biathletes due to its relationship with field-based skiing performance in biathlon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko S Laaksonen
- Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Erik Andersson
- Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Malin Jonsson Kårström
- Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Hampus Lindblom
- Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Kerry McGawley
- Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
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Jonsson Kårström M, McGawley K, Laaksonen MS. Physiological Responses to Rifle Carriage During Roller-Skiing in Elite Biathletes. Front Physiol 2020; 10:1519. [PMID: 31956312 PMCID: PMC6951403 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the physiological factors affected by rifle carriage during biathlon skiing performance, as well as the sex differences associated with rifle carriage. Methods: Seventeen national- and international-level biathletes (nine females and eight males; age 23.0 ± 3.3 years, V.O2max 59.4 ± 7.6 mL.kg–1.min–1) performed a submaximal incremental test and a maximal time-trial (TT) using treadmill roller-skiing (gear 3, skating technique) on two occasions separated by at least 48 h. One condition involved carrying the rifle on the back (WR) and the other condition no rifle (NR) and the tests were randomized. Submaximal V.O2, skiing speed at 4 mmol.L–1 of blood lactate (speed@4mmol), gross efficiency (GE), aerobic (MRae), and anaerobic (MRan) metabolic rates, and V.O2max were determined. Results: Submaximal V.O2 (at all intensities) and GE (16.7 ± 0.9 vs. 16.5 ± 1.1%) were higher for WR compared to NR (p < 0.05), while speed@4mmol was lower (3.1 ± 0.4 vs. 3.3 ± 0.5 m.s–1, p = 0.040). TT performance was improved (4.6 ± 0.4 vs. 4.3 ± 0.4 m.s–1, p < 0.001) and MRan was higher (31.3 ± 8.0 vs. 27.5 ± 6.5 kJ.min–1, p < 0.01) for NR compared to WR, with no difference in V.O2max or MRae. For skiing WR, TT performance was correlated to speed@4mmol (r = 0.81, p < 0.001), MRan (r = 0.65, p < 0.01), V.O2max (r = 0.51, p < 0.05), and relative muscle (r = 0.67, p < 0.01) and fat (r = −0.67, p < 0.01) masses. Speed@4mmol together with MRan explained more than 80% of the variation in TT performance (WR 84%, NR 81%). Despite a higher relative mass of the rifle in females compared with males (5.6 ± 0.4 vs. 5.0 ± 0.4% of body mass, p = 0.012), there were no sex differences associated with rifle carriage measured as absolute or relative differences. Conclusion: Rifle carriage in biathlon skiing led to significantly higher physiological demands during submaximal exercise and reduced performance during maximal treadmill roller-skiing compared to NR for both sexes. The most important variables for performance in biathlon treadmill skiing seem to be speed@4mmol combined with MRan, both of which were lower for WR compared to NR. To improve skiing performance in biathlon, improving speed at 4 mmol.L–1 of blood lactate and anaerobic energy delivery while carrying the rifle are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kerry McGawley
- The Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Marko S Laaksonen
- The Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
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Laaksonen MS, Finkenzeller T, Holmberg HC, Sattlecker G. The influence of physiobiomechanical parameters, technical aspects of shooting, and psychophysiological factors on biathlon performance: A review. JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2018; 7:394-404. [PMID: 30450247 PMCID: PMC6234024 DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The biathlon, an Olympic sporting discipline that combines cross-country skiing with rifle marksmanship, entails considerable physiological demands, as well as fine motor control while shooting after intense exercise and under mental pressure. Although much of our knowledge about cross-country skiing is probably also applicable to the biathlon, carrying the rifle and shooting under stress make this discipline somewhat unique. The present review summarizes and examines the scientific literature related to biathlon performance, with a focus on physiological and biomechanical factors and shooting technique, as well as psychophysiological aspects of shooting performance. We conclude with suggestions for future research designed to extend our knowledge about the biathlon, which is presently quite limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko S. Laaksonen
- Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund 83125, Sweden
| | - Thomas Finkenzeller
- Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria
| | - Hans-Christer Holmberg
- Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund 83125, Sweden
- School of Sport Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø 9019, Norway
| | - Gerold Sattlecker
- Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria
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Björklund G. Shooting efficiency for winners of World Cup and World Championship races in men’s and women’s biathlon: where is the cut-off? INT J PERF ANAL SPOR 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2018.1497920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Glenn Björklund
- The Swedish Sports Confederation, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Health Sciences, Sports Tech Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
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Laaksonen MS, Jonsson M, Holmberg HC. The Olympic Biathlon - Recent Advances and Perspectives After Pyeongchang. Front Physiol 2018; 9:796. [PMID: 30013486 PMCID: PMC6036135 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The biathlon, combining cross-country ski skating with rifle marksmanship, has been an Olympic event since the Winter Games in Squaw Valley, United States, in 1960. As a consequence of replacing the classical with the skating technique in the 1980s, as well as considerable improvements in equipment and preparation of ski tracks and more effective training, the average biathlon skiing speed has increased substantially. Moreover, the mass-start, pursuit, and sprint races have been introduced. Indeed, two of the four current individual Olympic biathlon competitions involve mass-starts, where tactics play a major role and the outcome is often decided during the last round of shooting or final sprint. Biathlon is a demanding endurance sport requiring extensive aerobic capacity. The wide range of speeds and slopes involved requires biathletes to alternate continuously between and adapt different skating sub-techniques during races, a technical complexity that places a premium on efficiency. Although the relative amounts of endurance training at different levels of intensity have remained essentially constant during recent decades, today’s biathletes perform more specific endurance training on roller skis on terrain similar to that used for competition, with more focus on the upper-body, systematic strength and power training and skiing at higher speeds. Success in the biathlon also requires accurate and rapid shooting while simultaneously recovering from high-intensity skiing. Many different factors, including body sway, triggering behavior, and even psychology, influence the shooting performance. Thus, the complexity of biathlon deserves a greater research focus on areas such as race tactics, skating techniques, or shooting process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko S Laaksonen
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Malin Jonsson
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Hans-Christer Holmberg
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.,School of Sports Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Stöggl T, Bishop P, Höök M, Willis S, Holmberg HC. Effect of carrying a rifle on physiology and biomechanical responses in biathletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2015; 47:617-24. [PMID: 25003775 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000000438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to assess the effect of carrying a rifle on the physiological and biomechanical responses of well-trained biathletes. METHODS Ten elite biathletes (five men and five women) performed ski skating with (R) or without a rifle (NR) on a treadmill using the V2 (5° incline) and V1 techniques (8°) at 8 and 6 km·h(-1), respectively, as well as at racing intensity (approximately 95% of peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak), 10.7 ± 0.8 and 7.7 ± 0.9 km·h(-1), respectively). V˙O2, ventilation (V˙(E)), HR, blood lactate concentration (BLa), and cycle characteristics as well as pole and leg kinetics were evaluated during these trials. RESULTS Metabolic data were all higher for R than for NR, as follows: V˙O2, +2.5%; V˙(E), +8.1%; RER, +4.2%; all P < 0.001; HR, +1.7%; and BLa, +15.1%; both P < 0.05. Biomechanically, carrying a rifle reduced cycle time and length, poling and arm swing times, and leg ground contact time and increased cycle rate, the peak and impulse of leg force, average cycle force, and impulse of forefoot force (all P < 0.05). With the exception of elevated pole forces when V2 skating at racing velocity, there were no differences between the peak and impulse of pole force. The difference in V˙(E) between R and NR was greater for the women than that for men (P < 0.05), and the difference in BLa also tended to be larger for the women (P < 0.1). CONCLUSIONS Carrying a rifle elevated physiological responses, accelerated cycle rate, and involved greater leg work, with no differences between the V1 and V2 techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Stöggl
- 1Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, AUSTRIA; 2Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid-Sweden University, Östersund, SWEDEN; 3Department of Exercise Science and Kinesiology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL; and 4Swedish Olympic Committee, Stockholm, SWEDEN
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Ainegren M, Carlsson P, Tinnsten M, Laaksonen MS. Skiing economy and efficiency in recreational and elite cross-country skiers. J Strength Cond Res 2013; 27:1239-52. [PMID: 22344058 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0b013e31824f206c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare skiing economy and gross efficiency in cross-country skiers of different performance levels, ages and genders; male recreational skiers and elite senior and junior cross-country skiers of both genders. The skiers performed tests involving roller skiing on a treadmill using the gear 3 and diagonal stride techniques. The elite cross-country skiers were found to have better skiing economy and higher gross efficiency (5-18%) compared with the recreational skiers (p < 0.05) and the senior elite had better economy and higher efficiency (4-5%) than their junior counterparts (p < 0.05), whereas no differences could be found between the genders. Also, large ranges in economy and gross efficiency were found in all groups. It was concluded that, in addition to V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak, skiing economy and gross efficiency have a great influence on the differences in performance times between recreational and junior and senior elite cross-country skiers, as well as between individual skiers within the different categories. Thus, we recommend cross-country skiers at all performance levels to test not only V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak, but also skiing economy and efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats Ainegren
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Center, Department of Engineering and Sustainable Development, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
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Sparks SA, Chandler P, Bailey TG, Marchant DC, Orme D. The energy demands of portable gas analysis system carriage during walking and running. ERGONOMICS 2013; 56:1901-1907. [PMID: 24134126 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2013.839830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the carriage of a portable gas analyser during prolonged treadmill exercise at a variety of speeds. Ten male participants completed six trials at different speeds (4, 8 and 12 km h(- 1)) for 40 min whilst wearing the analyser (P) or where the analyser was externally supported (L). Throughout each trial, respiratory gases, heart rate (HR), perceptions of effort and energy expenditure (EE) were measured. Significantly higher EE occurred during P12 (p = 0.01) than during L12 (855.3 ± 104.3; CI = 780.7-930.0 and 801.5 ± 82.2 kcal; CI = 742.7-860.3 kcal, respectively), but not at the other speeds; despite this, perceptions of effort and HR responses were unaffected. This additional EE is likely caused by alterations to posture which increase oxygen demand. The use of such systems is unlikely to affect low-intensity tasks, but researchers should use caution when interpreting data, particularly when exercise duration exceeds 30 min and laboratory-based analysers should be used where possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Andy Sparks
- a Department of Sport and Physical Activity , Edge Hill University, St. Helens Road , Ormskirk, Lancashire , L39 4QP , UK
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Sparks SA, Orme D, Mc Naughton LR. The effect of carrying a portable respiratory gas analysis system on energy expenditure during incremental running. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2013; 44:355-359. [PMID: 23021631 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2012.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Revised: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effect of portable gas analysis system carriage on energy expenditure (EE) during incremental treadmill running. Eight males (Mean ± SD) age 25.0 ± 9.47 y, body mass 78.5 ± 8.39 kg, completed an experimental trial (PT) during which they wore the system in a chest harness and a control trial (CT) when the system was externally supported. Each protocol consisted of 4 min stages at speeds of 0, 4, 7, 10, 12, 14 km h(-1). Increments continued until volitional exhaustion. The EE was greater (3.95 and 7.02% at 7 and 14 km h(-1) respectively) during PT (p < 0.05) but no significant differences were observed during standing, walking or VO(2max.) (4.10 ± 0.53, and 4.28 ± 0.75 l min(-1) for CT and PT respectively), HR or RPE. Portable gas analysis systems therefore only increase EE when running sub-maximally, but VO(2max) is unaffected, suggesting that using portable gas analysis systems in field-based situations is appropriate for maximal aerobic capacity measurement, but the effects of prolonged use on EE remains unclear.
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