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Characteristic Stroke Mechanics of Elite and Trained Male Speed Skaters

1986; Human Kinetics; Volume: 2; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1123/ijsb.2.3.175

0740-2082

Ruud W. de Boer, Paul Schermerhorn, Jan Gademan, Jos J. de Koning, Gerrit Jan van Ingen Schenau,

Body Composition Measurement Techniques

In speed skating, the amount of work per stroke is dependent on the component of the push-off force in the direction perpendicular to the gliding direction of the skate. One stroke consists of a gliding phase and a push-off phase in which the knee is explosively extended. Film and video analysis showed that the better skaters show a higher power production and no differences in stroke frequency. Differences in performance are related to differences in push-off mechanics. The faster skaters reach a higher angular velocity at the knee; the time during which the knee is extended is shorter. At the start of the push-off, the velocity of the body center of gravity in the horizontal direction is higher due to a passive falling movement in the frontal plane. It is concluded that the better skaters show a better timing that results in a more explosive and effective directed push-off.