The effects of various pole lengths on cross-country skiing poling mechanics

Abstract

This study observed the diagonal stride of cross-country skiing cinematographically, to compare the effects of five different pole lengths on the mechanics of the kick, glide and pole implantation phases, The "preferred" pole length was 35 cm. less than subjects (Ss)body height; the other four pole lengths were 10 cm. longer, five cm. longer, five cm. shorter and 10 cm. shorter than the "preferred" pole length. All Ss used the same brand of ski equipment. Thirteen male and female ranged in age from 20-36 yrs., and skied each of the five trials with a different pole length. All trials were filmed at 150 frames per second and analyzed against nine variables. A Single Factor Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Repeated Measures followed by a Bonferroni T test was used to analyze the following variables: velocity, stride length, stride rate, trunk flexion, trunk extension, angular displacement from trunk flexion to trunk extension, lower leg angle at legs' parallel position, pole plant displacement, and pole angle at implantation. Significant differences (P<.05) created by the various pole lengths were found in the absolute angle of trunk flexion, the absolute trunk angle at trunk extension, the horizontal displacement of the pole plant in relation to the support foot, and the absolute pole angle at pole implantation. No significant differences (P>.05) were found in velocity, stride length, stride rate, angular displacement from trunk flexion to trunk extension, or the lower leg angle at legs parallel position. It was concluded that specific pole lengths do have an effect on various poling mechanics of the diagonal stride of cross-country skiing.