OFFSET SKATING CHARACTERISTICS OF WORLD CUP LEVEL CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS

The cross-country ski skating techniques have been evolving steadily over the past several years. Previous kinematic and temporal studies conducted by Smith, McNitt-Gray, & Nelson (1988); Smith & Nelson (1988); Smith, Nelson, Feldrnan, & Rankinen (1989); and McPherson (1991) have documented this evolution. A kinematic and temporal study was conducted during the 1994 Men's World Cup Cross-Country Ski Relay competition in Thunder Bay. The study was used to develop a current kinematic and temporal profile of the World Cup level competitors based on a multiple correlation and regression analysis of selected variables. The Peak 2D Motion Analysis System was used to digitize video footage of 24 competitors offset skating on a 9 degree slope. A significant positive relationship was found between the dependent variable cycle velocity and cycle length (ec.01,2-tailed). Further significant positive relationships (ec.05, 2-tailed) were found between the dependent variable race velocity and cycle velocity, and percentage of cycle time skating on the downhill leg. In addition there were other significant correlations found among the selected variables. Cycle length increased as the uphill pole angle at pole plant decreased (ec.05, 2-tailed), and the cycle velocity increased (ec.01, 2-tailed). Cycle time decreased as the percentage of the cycle time skating on the uphill leg and the cycle velocity increased (