Biomechanical Insights into Ski Mountaineering: Kinematics and Muscular Activation in Uphill Movements
Ski mountaineering (Skimo) combines mountain climbing and skiing, with ascents on skis or by carrying them, followed by ski descents. Despite its popularity, the literature lacks integrated biomechanical analyses during indoor training, limiting evidence-based recommendations for training, injury pr...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Lucia Donno Carlalberto Francia Filippo Motta Antonella LoMauro Carlo Gorla Diego Scaccabarozzi Marco Tarabini Manuela Galli |
| author_facet | Lucia Donno Carlalberto Francia Filippo Motta Antonella LoMauro Carlo Gorla Diego Scaccabarozzi Marco Tarabini Manuela Galli |
| author_sort | Lucia Donno |
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| description | Ski mountaineering (Skimo) combines mountain climbing and skiing, with ascents on skis or by carrying them, followed by ski descents. Despite its popularity, the literature lacks integrated biomechanical analyses during indoor training, limiting evidence-based recommendations for training, injury prevention, and performance improvement in this sport. This study analyzed four Skimo athletes during uphill walking and running on a 9° inclined treadmill at 7 km/h and 8 km/h. Kinematics was assessed by an optoelectronic system, and surface electromyography recorded the muscular activity of twelve bilateral muscles (Erector Spinae, Rectus Abdominis, Rectus Femoris, Biceps Femoris, Tibialis Anterior, Gastrocnemius Lateralis). Rectus Femoris and Biceps Femoris co-activation supported knee stability during the load support phase, especially while running. Running at 8 km/h was the most demanding condition, with increased knee flexion throughout the task cycle. Switching from 7 to 8 km/h reduced the maximum extension and increased the maximum flexion of both hip and knee and required the Gastrocnemius’ recruitment in the swing phase. Regardless of task and speed, Rectus Abdominis and Erector Spinae played a key role in stabilizing the trunk. This study provided a biomechanical characterization of two motor gestures typical in Skimo, highlighting how task typology and velocity could influence kinematics and muscle activation. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-afe35de9f8bc4a789f296743a48d231c2025-08-20T02:48:09ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-01153100310.3390/app15031003Biomechanical Insights into Ski Mountaineering: Kinematics and Muscular Activation in Uphill MovementsLucia Donno0Carlalberto Francia1Filippo Motta2Antonella LoMauro3Carlo Gorla4Diego Scaccabarozzi5Marco Tarabini6Manuela Galli7Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Via Privata Giuseppe La Masa 1, 20156 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Via Privata Giuseppe La Masa 1, 20156 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Via Privata Giuseppe La Masa 1, 20156 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, ItalySki mountaineering (Skimo) combines mountain climbing and skiing, with ascents on skis or by carrying them, followed by ski descents. Despite its popularity, the literature lacks integrated biomechanical analyses during indoor training, limiting evidence-based recommendations for training, injury prevention, and performance improvement in this sport. This study analyzed four Skimo athletes during uphill walking and running on a 9° inclined treadmill at 7 km/h and 8 km/h. Kinematics was assessed by an optoelectronic system, and surface electromyography recorded the muscular activity of twelve bilateral muscles (Erector Spinae, Rectus Abdominis, Rectus Femoris, Biceps Femoris, Tibialis Anterior, Gastrocnemius Lateralis). Rectus Femoris and Biceps Femoris co-activation supported knee stability during the load support phase, especially while running. Running at 8 km/h was the most demanding condition, with increased knee flexion throughout the task cycle. Switching from 7 to 8 km/h reduced the maximum extension and increased the maximum flexion of both hip and knee and required the Gastrocnemius’ recruitment in the swing phase. Regardless of task and speed, Rectus Abdominis and Erector Spinae played a key role in stabilizing the trunk. This study provided a biomechanical characterization of two motor gestures typical in Skimo, highlighting how task typology and velocity could influence kinematics and muscle activation.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1003ski mountaineeringathletessuperficial electromyographymovement analysisrunningwalking |
| spellingShingle | Lucia Donno Carlalberto Francia Filippo Motta Antonella LoMauro Carlo Gorla Diego Scaccabarozzi Marco Tarabini Manuela Galli Biomechanical Insights into Ski Mountaineering: Kinematics and Muscular Activation in Uphill Movements Applied Sciences ski mountaineering athletes superficial electromyography movement analysis running walking |
| title | Biomechanical Insights into Ski Mountaineering: Kinematics and Muscular Activation in Uphill Movements |
| title_full | Biomechanical Insights into Ski Mountaineering: Kinematics and Muscular Activation in Uphill Movements |
| title_fullStr | Biomechanical Insights into Ski Mountaineering: Kinematics and Muscular Activation in Uphill Movements |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biomechanical Insights into Ski Mountaineering: Kinematics and Muscular Activation in Uphill Movements |
| title_short | Biomechanical Insights into Ski Mountaineering: Kinematics and Muscular Activation in Uphill Movements |
| title_sort | biomechanical insights into ski mountaineering kinematics and muscular activation in uphill movements |
| topic | ski mountaineering athletes superficial electromyography movement analysis running walking |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1003 |
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