GENERAL STRENGTH AND MUSCULAR ENDURANCE: RELATIONSHIP TO V1- AND V2-SKATE SKIING ECONOMY IN COLLEGIATE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS

<p><strong>Introduction </strong>Cross-country skiing is a power-endurance sport requiring upper and lower body activation for propulsion across the ground. While high aerobic markers such as VO_2max and lactate threshold are important performance indicators, recent research has demonstrated the importance of full-body general strength and muscular endurance in skiing success. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of strength indices via a full-body series of muscular endurance tests, as well as a general 1-RM strength test, to VO₂ skiing economy utilizing the V1- and V2-skate technique.<strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Methods </strong>Oxygen uptake was measured during baseline and economy testing on a specialized skiing treadmill. A paired samples t-test was utilized to determine differences between V1- and V2-skate skiing economy. Correlation analysis was used to identify relationships of strength and endurance indices to skiing economy values. Furthermore, a stepwise regression with resampling cross-validation (25 holdout groups) was performed to determine the best predictor of skiing economy. <strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Results </strong>The results of the study found no significant differences between V1- and V2-skate skiing economy VO₂ values (p>0.05), as well as other metabolic variables. Pearson partial correlation analysis controlling for sex revealed weight, V1 RER, V2 RER, and shoulder extension were positively correlated with V2 oxygen uptake (p</p> <p><strong>Conclusion </strong>The crossover point of no significant differences in oxygen uptake between V1- & V2-skate was found to be at a greater velocity and grade than previously reported literature. Less oxygen uptake during V1-skate was an indicator of distance racing performance, as a majority of competition time is spent racing uphill utilizing the aforementioned technique. Greater general strength and muscular endurance were not correlated to greater V1 and V2 skiing economy as hypothesized. <strong></strong></p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Health and Human Performance

Year dc:date.available

2019

Author dc:creator

• Torchia, Ian

Contributors dc:contributor

• Randall Jensen

• Skiing
• VO2max
• Economy
• Strength
• Endurance
• Sports Sciences

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/590

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.nmu.edu:theses-1620