AIM: The purpose of this study is to estimate the energy cost of ski mountaineering at different speeds under laboratory conditions. METHODS: By using roller skis on a motorized treadmill we have estimated the energy cost and biomechanics parameters of ski mountaineering as a function of climbing speed at the gradient of 21%. RESULTS: The metabolic energy spent for unit mass and distance, C, shows a broad minimum of about 10.6±0.2 J kg-1m-1 at roughly 3.5 km h-1. In addition we find a size-dependent effect: tall subjects spend less metabolic energy for unit mass and distance than small subjects at the same speed. CONCLUSION: The value of C measured in laboratory agrees with that obtained in the field at the preferred speed. This shows that skiers self select a speed that minimizes their metabolic cost. The dependence of C on the subject's size is explained by a simple model of the skier's dynamics. In addition we have calculated the ratio between mechanical work and metabolic energy, which may give some hints on the efficiency as a function of the speed. It turns out that efficiency increases with the speed up to a maximum located at around 4.5 km/h.
AIM: The purpose of this study is to estimate the energy cost of ski mountaineering at different speeds under laboratory conditions. METHODS: By using roller skis on a motorized treadmill we have estimated the energy cost and biomechanics parameters of ski mountaineering as a function of climbing speed at the gradient of 21%. RESULTS: The metabolic energy spent for unit mass and distance, C, shows a broad minimum of about 10.6±0.2 J kg-1m-1 at roughly 3.5 km h-1. In addition we find a size-dependent effect: tall subjects spend less metabolic energy for unit mass and distance than small subjects at the same speed. CONCLUSION: The value of C measured in laboratory agrees with that obtained in the field at the preferred speed. This shows that skiers self select a speed that minimizes their metabolic cost. The dependence of C on the subject's size is explained by a simple model of the skier's dynamics. In addition we have calculated the ratio between mechanical work and metabolic energy, which may give some hints on the efficiency as a function of the speed. It turns out that efficiency increases with the speed up to a maximum located at around 4.5 km/h.
Authors: Marcus P Hannon; Joelle Leonie Flueck; Vincent Gremeaux; Nicolas Place; Bengt Kayser; Chris Donnelly Journal: Front Sports Act Living Date: 2021-01-27
Authors: Verena Menz; Martin Niedermeier; Rainer Stehle; Hendrik Mugele; Martin Faulhaber Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-30 Impact factor: 3.390