Biomechanical determinants of oxygen extraction during cross-country skiing

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports 2013-02, Vol.23 (1), p.e9-e20
• Main Authors: Stöggl, T., Björklund, G., Holmberg, H.-C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arteries; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biomechanics; Blood Gas Analysis; blood lactate; catheters; Cross country skiing; Electromyography; EMG; Extraction processes; Heart Rate - physiology; Humans; Joints - physiology; Lower Extremity - physiology; Male; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Oxygen; oxygen consumption; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; plantar force; Pole force; Skiing - physiology; Sweden; Upper Extremity - physiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0905-7188; 1600-0838; 1600-0838
• DOI: 10.1111/sms.12004

To determine the relationship of muscle activation, force production, and cycle characteristics to O2 extraction during high‐ and lower‐intensity double poling (DP), nine well‐trained male cross‐country skiers performed DP on a treadmill for 3 min at 90% VO2peak followed by 6 min at 70%. During the final minute at each workload, arterial, femoral, and subclavian venous blood were collected for determination of partial pressure of O2, partial pressure of CO2, pH, and lactate. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from six upper and lower body muscles, leg and pole forces were measured, and cardiorespiratory variables were monitored continuously. O2 extraction was associated with time point of peak pole force (PFpeak), duration of recovery, EMG activity, and lower body use. Arm O2 extraction was lower than in the legs at both intensities (P