The effects of prior high intensity double poling on subsequent diagonal stride skiing characteristics

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of prior high intensity double poling (DP) on physiological and biomechanical responses during subsequent diagonal stride (DIA). METHODS: Eight well-trained male cross-country skiers (age 22 ± 3 yr; VO(2max) 69 ± 3 ml · kg(−1) · min(−1)) roller-skied on a treadmill sequentially for 3 min at 90% DIA VO(2max) (DIA(1)), 3 min at 90% DP VO(2peak) and 3 min at 90% DIA VO(2max) (DIA(2)). Cardio-respiratory responses were monitored continuously and gases and metabolites in blood from the a. femoralis, v. femoralis and v. subclavia determined. Pole and plantar forces and EMG from 6 lower- and upper-body muscles were measured. RESULTS: VO(2) decreased from DIA(1) to DP and increased again to DIA(2) (both P < 0.05), with no difference between the DIA sessions. Blood lactate rose from DIA(1) to DP to DIA(2). O(2) extraction was attenuated during DP (P < 0.05), but was the same during DIA(1) and DIA(2). EMG(RMS) for arm muscles during poling phase, as well as peak pole force and cycle rate were higher, while leg muscle activity was lower during DP than both sessions of DIA (all P < 0.05). The ratio of upper-/whole-body EMG(RMS) correlated negatively with O(2) extraction in the arms during both sessions of DIA (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In well-trained skiers skiing at high-intensity DP prior to DIA did not influence VO(2), muscle activation or forces in the latter. At race intensity DP does not influence the distribution of work between upper- and lower-body during a subsequent bout of DIA. O(2) extraction is coupled to technical skills during skiing.