Onasch, FranziskaKillick, AnthonyHerzog, Walter2018-09-192018-09-192017-07Onasch, F., Killick, A., & Herzog, W. (2017). Is There an Optimal Pole Length for Double Poling in Cross Country Skiing? Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 33(3), 197–202. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2016-00711543-2688http://hdl.handle.net/1880/107771https://doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/43892The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pole length on energy cost and kinematics in cross country double poling. Seven sub-elite male athletes were tested using pole sets of different lengths (ranging between 77% and 98% of participants' body height). Tests were conducted on a treadmill, set to a 2% incline and an approximate racing speed. Poling forces, contact times, and oxygen uptake were measured throughout the testing. Pole length was positively correlated with ground contact time (r = .57, p < .001) and negatively correlated with poling frequency (r = -.48, p = .003). Pole length was also positively correlated with pole recovery time and propulsive impulse produced per poling cycle (r = .36, p = .031; r = .35, p = .042, respectively). Oxygen uptake and pole length were negatively correlated (r = -.51, p = .004). This acute study shows that increasing pole length for double poling in sub-elite cross country skiers under the given conditions seems to change the poling mechanics in distinct ways, resulting in a more efficient poling action by decreasing an athlete's metabolic cost.enUnless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.oxygen uptakeelite skiersmetaboloic costpoling dataefficiencyoptimal performancejournal articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jab.2016-0071