Anthropometric measurements have been used in sports for finding performance limiting factors (Reilly et al. 2000; Drinkwater et al. 2008). Studies concerning relationships between anthropometric characteristics and performance in XC skiing are limited (Bergh 1987; Larsson and Henriksson-Larsen 2008). The aims of the present study were to examine possible relationships between anthropometric values and sprint skiing performance. Methods: Fourteen elite sprint skiers (mean age 26.4±4.8 yrs; body weight 76.7±5.4kg; body height 180.4±4.6cm; VO2max 5.2±0.5 l/min, volunteered to participate in the study. Subjects were examined with DXA to determine body composition and body dimensions (Lunar iDXA, General Electric Company, Madison, USA) and performed two incremental maximal sprint tests using the double poling (DP) and the V2 skating techniques, both performed with roller skis on a treadmill. Results: BMIlean displayed the highest positive relationships towards DP maximal speed (r=0.80, p<0.001) of all the measured variables. Body weight, total lean mass and total trunk mass were all positively correlated to DP performance (r=0.57; p<0.05; r=0.69, p<0.01; r=0.53, p<0.05). Absolute and relative (%trunk mass) lean mass of the trunk was positively related to DP maximal speed (abs. value r=0.75; p<0.01; rel. value r=0.550, p<0.05). The ratio between trunk mass to trunk length and the ratio between trunk mass and the mass of the head and the neck were positively related to DP maximal speed (r=0.58, p<0.05; r=0.69, p<0.01). None of the measured anthropometrical variables were significantly associated with V2 skating maximal speed. Discussion: The findings in this study agree with Bergh (1987), suggesting that heavier skiers are favoured over all parts of a racing course except for steep uphills. However, this aspect was only valid in the current study in DP. Based on the results, we suggest that skiers should aim to achieve an optimal body composition that has a high percentage of lean mass and low fat mass, with a particular focus on high trunk mass in order to have the proper body composition for DP sprint performance. No anthropometrical predictors of performance were found for the V2 skating technique, suggesting that high maximal speed in that technique is not associated with body morphology. The results suggest that maximal speed in DP and V2 skating is not determined by genetic body dimensions but, particularly for DP, by trainable factors such as total mass, muscle mass and body fat.
© Copyright 2009 14th annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo/Norway, June 24-27, 2009, Book of Abstracts. Veröffentlicht von The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.