ABSTRACT
Cross-country skiing, and especially its skating techniques, have received some attention in biomechanical research during the past few years. In some studies (1) (2) (3) the effects of race or cycle velocity, the steepness of an uphill, differences between the sexes, between successful and less successful skiers, or the interrelationships between kinematic and temporal parameters of skating have been analyzed. In some studies, e.g. (1) (2) (3), researchers have attempted to analyze kinematic variables during Olympic and World Cup competitions in order to identify the characteristics common to successive competitors. However, as stated by Gregory et al (3) “researchers and coaches have not presented information that identifies kinematic differences between more and less accomplished skiers.” This may be because there are a number of parameters, such as equipment (skis, bindings, poles, waxing), tracks, weather conditions, and unknown physiological variables such as fatigue, etc., which are very probably connected with the biomechanics of skiing, but which are difficult to control. As far as the authors are aware, the effects of a long race (fatigue) on skating technique has not been widely reported.
