Author(s): ELFERINK-GEMSER, M., STOTER, I., HETTINGA, F., MENTING, S., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN, UMCG , Country: NETHERLANDS, Abstract-ID: 1026

INTRODUCTION:
In speed skating, forward velocity is generated through alternating lateral push-offs from a semi-crouched, aerodynamically optimized posture, positioning the push-off angle as a central biomechanical variable of skating technique. Understanding the influence of this angle on finishing time is highly relevant for improving performance and informing talent development in speed skating. While the relation between this angle and skating, velocity has been found throughout 5km performance, and in the 1500m, this is the first study that cross-sectionally analyses its contribution to sprint performance in youth athletes. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to gain insight into the relationship between the push-off angle and 500-m finishing time in youth speed skaters.
METHODS:
The push-off angle during the 500-m event was determined for 222 participants in the 2024 Vikingrace (n = 121 girls; age = 13.3 ± 1.6 years; 101 boys; age = 12.8 ± 1.5 years), an international youth competition held at the 400m lowland ice-skating rink Thialf in the Netherlands. Video-based analysis using Dartfish software was employed to determine the push-off angle, yielding high inter- and intra-rater reliability (.93 and .89, respectively; p < .01; n = 40). Based on median split of the finish times per sex and age category, participants were categorized into faster (42.66 ± 2.35 s) and slower (47.03 ± 3.56 s) performance levels. A univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with age as covariate was used to assess differences in push-off angle between performance levels and sexes. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the predictive value of push-off angle, age, and sex on 500-m finishing time.
RESULTS:
Faster skaters demonstrated a smaller push-off angle than slower skaters in the 500-m (51.8 ± 2.9° vs. 53.2 ± 3.5°; F (1,217) = 12.75; p < .01). Girls exhibited a larger push-off angle than boys (53.3 ± 3.2° vs. 51.5 ± 3.2°; F (1,217) = 32.28; p < .01). No interaction effect of performance level X sex was found (F (1, 217) = 0.213; p = .81). The regression equation (finishing 500-m time = 40.82 – 1.231 × sex [1 = girl; 2 = boy] – 0.94 × age [years] + 0.37 × push-off angle [°]) explained 38% of the variance.
CONCLUSION:
In accordance with the hypotheses, the push-off angle relates to better performance in long track speed skating. Talent development programs may improve 500-m performance by focusing on adopting a smaller push-off angle through targeted technique interventions.