Velocity, rate and length relationship during cross country skiing KO sprint

The purpose of our study was to characterise the kinematic of the diagonal stride during a new short sprint race in cross country skiing. We hypothesised that the locomotion in KO sprint was characterised by a high cycle rate (FC) and a low cycle length (AC). Thirty male cross-country skiers were filmed on an uphill portion (5% sur 200 m) of the 1.2-Km classic race of the world cup. Cycle velocities (VC) obtained were of de 4,77 ± 0,56 m.s-1, with cycle rate (FC) and cycle length (AC) respectively of 2,19 ± 0,27 Hz et 2,15 ± 0,19 m. Significant correlations were observed between VC and FC but not between VC and AC. The high frequencies observed during the KO sprint appeared to be a mechanical advantage by minimising the lost of velocity during the non propulsive phases