Abstract des Autors

To fully understand DIA (diagonal stride skiing) biomechanics, it is important to measure and analyze the GRFs (ground reaction forces) of the ski and poles both separately and together. Both the kick of the ski and pole push contribute to a skier's forward progression, but their independent functional significance "may be more complex than that of the ground reaction forces in running and walking" (Komi, 1987). In the present study, we recorded the independent forces of the pole and ski at multiple inclines and speeds using a dual-belt FTM (force-instrumented treadmill). The purpose of this experiment was to validate a FTM as an effective tool for future cross-country ski research and to further analyze the ground reaction forces during diagonal stride skiing. We asked two questions: 1. How do the ground reaction forces measured by the force-instrumented treadmill compare to previous findings? 2. How do the perpendicular and parallel ground reaction forces change with speed and incline in diagonal stride roller skiing? We hypothesized that our perpendicular and parallel force measurements would be similar to previous instrumented roller ski studies and that both perpendicular and parallel forces would increase at faster speeds and up steeper inclines.