Clinical trial NCT03078673: Cross Country Poling Specific Motor Skill- and Strength Training.
Official title: Motor Skill- and Strength Training; Importance for Technique, Work Economy and Time Performance in Cross Country Poling
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Healthy
Keywords: Cross country poling, motor skill, strength training
Lead sponsor: University of South-Eastern Norway
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: The Norwegian Olympic Sports Center (Olympiatoppen)
First posted: 2017-03-13
Enrollment: 45
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 16
Maximum age (years): 30
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE

Brief summary: Will motor skill- and/or strength training affect technique, work economy and time performance in cross-country poling? Competitive cross-country skiers (age 16- 30) will perform a 10 weeks training intervention. They will be randomized in one of the following three groups: poling specific motor skill training 3 times per week in addition to their regular training, maximal strength training 3 times per week in addition to their regular training and a control group who only perform their regular training. Pre- and post intervention, all participants will perform tests in VO2max (running), VO2max (poling), work economy (poling), video and inertial measurement unit (IMU) analyzes of poling technique, time performance test (poling), motor skill tests and maximal strength tests.

Detailed description: Motor Skill- and Maximal Strength Training; Importance for Technique, Work Economy and Time Performance in Cross Country Poling Purpose The relative use of poling in classic cross-country skiing has increased over the last years. (Danielsen et al 2015). As a result of this poling performance has become increasingly important for over all classic cross-country skiing performance. Poling performance with best possible technical skills, implying high velocity with a least possible energy cost (C) should thus be beneficial. Previous research (Østerås et al 2002) has shown improved work economy in poling after maximal strength training (MST). To the investigators knowledge, the effect of motor skill training (MOT) on C has not previously been investigated. In this study MOT and MST will therefore be investigated (in two different groups of cross-country skiers), how they may affect poling technique, C, lactate threshold (LT) and poling performance. The results from this study may give further insight and knowledge in scientific based training practice.

The purpose of this study is thus to investigate if:

1. MOT results in technical changes in poling?
2. MST results in technical changes in poling?
3. MOT improves C in poling?
4. MST improves C in poling?
5. changes in 1-4 improves time performance in poling?

In order to investigate this, competitive cross-country skiers (age 16- 30) will perform a 10 weeks training intervention. They will be randomized in one of the following three groups: poling specific motor skill training (10-12 x 3 repetitions maximum, RM) in specific designed cross country exercises 3 times per week in addition to their regular training. Further, maximal strength training in squat, dead lift, bench press, bench pull and pull down (2-5 x 3 repetitions RM) 3 times per week in addition to their regular training and a control group who only perform their regular training. Pre- and post intervention, all participants will perform tests in VO2max (running), VO2max (poling), work economy (poling), video and IMU analyzes of poling technique, time performance test (poling), motor skill tests and maximal strength tests.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* healthy, competitive cross country athletes 16-30 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

* contraindications to maximal strength training and strength and endurance testing

Primary outcomes:
measure: Time trial poling on a roller ski tarmac track
timeFrame: 10 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Video analyzes of technique
timeFrame: 10 weeks
measure: Analyzes of angular velocity by use of IMU (inertial movement devices)
timeFrame: 10 weeks
measure: Analyzes of external force (N) in poles during poling
timeFrame: 10 weeks
measure: Maximal pulldown strength (RM/kg)
timeFrame: 10 weeks
measure: Maximal leggpress strength (RM/kg)
timeFrame: 10 weeks
measure: Maximal pulldown power (Watt)
timeFrame: 10 weeks
measure: Maximal leggpress power (Watt)
timeFrame: 10 weeks
measure: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max, ml/kg/min) in running on treadmill
timeFrame: 10 weeks
measure: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max, ml/kg/min) in poling on treadmill
timeFrame: 10 weeks
measure: Lactate threshold (mmol/L blood) in poling on treadmill
timeFrame: 10 weeks
measure: Poling economy
timeFrame: 10 weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Bø
country: Norway
facility: Telemark UC
state: Telemark
Study officials:
affiliation: Telemark UC
name: Arnstein Sunde, MSC
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Telemark UC
name: Øyvind Støren, PhD
role: STUDY_CHAIR
References:
citation: Danielsen J, Sandbakk O, Holmberg HC, Ettema G. Mechanical Energy and Propulsion in Ergometer Double Poling by Cross-country Skiers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015 Dec;47(12):2586-94. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000723.
citation: Osteras H, Helgerud J, Hoff J. Maximal strength-training effects on force-velocity and force-power relationships explain increases in aerobic performance in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002 Dec;88(3):255-63. doi: 10.1007/s00421-002-0717-y. Epub 2002 Oct 17.