The association between changes in speed skating technique and changes in skating velocity. Perform. 2012; Epub ahead of print. Int J Sports Physiol The association between changes in speed skating technique and changes in skating velocity Gross efficiency in cyclic sports 190 Abstract A meaningful association between changes (Δ) in push-off angle or effectiveness (e) and changes in skating velocity (v) has been found during 5,000 m races, although no significant association was found between

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... anges in knee (θ 0 ) and trunk angle (θ 1 ) and Δv. It might be that speed skating event, sex, and performance level influence these associations. Therefore the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of skating event, sex, and performance level on the association between Δe and Δv and between Δθ 0 and Δθ 1 and Δv. Video recordings were made from a frontal (e) and sagittal view (θ 0 and θ 1 ) during 1,500 m and 5,000 m World Cup races of male and female skaters. Radio frequency identification tags provided data of v. Skating event influenced the association between Δe and Δv, which resulted in a significant association between Δe and Δv for the 5,000 m (β = -0.069, 95% confidence interval [-0.11, -0.030]), but not for the 1,500 m (β = -0.011, [-0.032, 0.010]). The association between Δθ 0 and Δθ 1 and Δv was not significantly influenced by skating event. Sex and performance level did not substantially affect the association between Δe and Δv and between Δθ 0 and Δθ 1 and Δv. In conclusion, skating event significantly influenced the association between Δe and Δv, a 1˚ increase in e results in a 0.011 m/s decrease in v during the 1,500 m and in a 0.069 m/s decrease in v during the 5,000 m. So, it seems especially important to maintain a small e during the 5,000 m. The association between changes in speed skating technique and changes in skating velocity