Cross Country Poling Specific Motor Skill- and Strength Training. (CPMST)

Motor Skill- and Strength Training; Importance for Technique, Work Economy and Time Performance in Cross Country Poling

Will motor skill- and/or strength training affect technique, work economy and time performance in cross-country poling? Competitive cross-country skiers (age 16- 30) will perform a 10 weeks training intervention. They will be randomized in one of the following three groups: poling specific motor skill training 3 times per week in addition to their regular training, maximal strength training 3 times per week in addition to their regular training and a control group who only perform their regular training. Pre- and post intervention, all participants will perform tests in VO2max (running), VO2max (poling), work economy (poling), video and inertial measurement unit (IMU) analyzes of poling technique, time performance test (poling), motor skill tests and maximal strength tests.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: training intervention, motor skill training; Other: training intervention, maximal strength training; Other: control group

Detailed Description

Motor Skill- and Maximal Strength Training; Importance for Technique, Work Economy and Time Performance in Cross Country Poling Purpose The relative use of poling in classic cross-country skiing has increased over the last years. (Danielsen et al 2015). As a result of this poling performance has become increasingly important for over all classic cross-country skiing performance. Poling performance with best possible technical skills, implying high velocity with a least possible energy cost (C) should thus be beneficial. Previous research (Østerås et al 2002) has shown improved work economy in poling after maximal strength training (MST). To the investigators knowledge, the effect of motor skill training (MOT) on C has not previously been investigated. In this study MOT and MST will therefore be investigated (in two different groups of cross-country skiers), how they may affect poling technique, C, lactate threshold (LT) and poling performance. The results from this study may give further insight and knowledge in scientific based training practice.

The purpose of this study is thus to investigate if:

1. MOT results in technical changes in poling?
2. MST results in technical changes in poling?
3. MOT improves C in poling?
4. MST improves C in poling?
5. changes in 1-4 improves time performance in poling?

In order to investigate this, competitive cross-country skiers (age 16- 30) will perform a 10 weeks training intervention. They will be randomized in one of the following three groups: poling specific motor skill training (10-12 x 3 repetitions maximum, RM) in specific designed cross country exercises 3 times per week in addition to their regular training. Further, maximal strength training in squat, dead lift, bench press, bench pull and pull down (2-5 x 3 repetitions RM) 3 times per week in addition to their regular training and a control group who only perform their regular training. Pre- and post intervention, all participants will perform tests in VO2max (running), VO2max (poling), work economy (poling), video and IMU analyzes of poling technique, time performance test (poling), motor skill tests and maximal strength tests.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 45
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Norway
  • Telemark
    • Bø, Telemark, Norway, 3800
      • Telemark UC

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years to 30 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy, competitive cross country athletes 16-30 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• contraindications to maximal strength training and strength and endurance testing

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Motor skill training; training intervention. Poling specific indoor motor skill exercises performed 3 times pr week for 10 weeks in addition to regular training	Other: training intervention, motor skill training; cross country specific motor skill strength training
Experimental: Maximal strength training; training intervention. Maximal strength exercises performed 3 times pr week for 10 weeks in addition to regular training	Other: training intervention, maximal strength training; general maximal strength training
Experimental: Control group; Only regular training	Other: control group; regular training

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Time trial poling on a roller ski tarmac track	Seconds used in a 6 km track.	10 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Video analyzes of technique	Joint angles. Unique outcome measure.	10 weeks
Analyzes of angular velocity by use of IMU (inertial movement devices)	Degree/second by use of gyrometer from the Musclelab System from Ergotest Technology. Unique outcome measure.	10 weeks
Analyzes of external force (N) in poles during poling	Force measurements by use of the Musclelab System from Ergotest Technology. Unique outcome measure.	10 weeks
Maximal pulldown strength (RM/kg)	Kilos in pulldown. Unique outcome measure.	10 weeks
Maximal leggpress strength (RM/kg)	Kilos in leggpress. Unique outcome measure.	10 weeks
Maximal pulldown power (Watt)	Watts in pulldown by use of Musclelab.System (Ergotest Technology). Unique outcome measure.	10 weeks
Maximal leggpress power (Watt)	Watts in leggpress by use of Musclelab.System (Ergotest Technology). Unique outcome measure.	10 weeks
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max, ml/kg/min) in running on treadmill	Ergospirometrical incremental (ramp) protocols using Cortex Metalyzer. Unique outcome measure.	10 weeks
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max, ml/kg/min) in poling on treadmill	Ergospirometrical incremental (ramp) protocols using Cortex Metalyzer. Unique outcome measure.	10 weeks
Lactate threshold (mmol/L blood) in poling on treadmill	Measurement of lactate using Lactate Scout (EKF Diagnostics) in different submaximal work periods up to the point reaching warm up values plus 2,3 mmol/L. Unique outcome measure.	10 weeks
Poling economy	Measurement of oxygen consumption per meter poling. Unique outcome measure.	10 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of South-Eastern Norway
• Collaborators: The Norwegian Olympic Sports Center (Olympiatoppen)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Arnstein Sunde, MSC, Telemark UC; Study Chair: Øyvind Støren, PhD, Telemark UC

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Danielsen J, Sandbakk O, Holmberg HC, Ettema G. Mechanical Energy and Propulsion in Ergometer Double Poling by Cross-country Skiers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015 Dec;47(12):2586-94. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000723.
• Osteras H, Helgerud J, Hoff J. Maximal strength-training effects on force-velocity and force-power relationships explain increases in aerobic performance in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002 Dec;88(3):255-63. doi: 10.1007/s00421-002-0717-y. Epub 2002 Oct 17.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 20, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 1, 2019
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 30, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 7, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): March 13, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 27, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 21, 2021
• Last Verified: May 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cross country poling, motor skill, strength training
• Other Study ID Numbers: CPMST

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: planned published in a peer reviewed journal

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No