The Kinematic and Electromyographic Analysis of Roller Skating at Different Speeds on a Treadmill: A Case Study.

Elite athletes in speed roller skates perceive skating to be a more demanding exercise for the groin when compared to other cyclic disciplines, increasing their risk of injury. The objective of this study was to monitor the kinematic and electromyographic parameters of roller speed skaters, linearly, on a treadmill, and to compare different skating speeds, one at 20 km/h and one at 32 km/h, at a 1° inclination. The acquisition was carried out by placing an inertial sensor at the level of the first sacral vertebra, and eight surface electromyographic probes on both lower limbs. The kinematic and electromyographic analysis on the treadmill showed that a higher speed requires more muscle activation, in terms of maximum and average values and co-activation, as it not only increases the intrinsic muscle demand in the district, but also the athlete's ability to coordinate the skating technique. The present study allows us to indicate not only how individual muscle districts are activated during skating on a surface different from the road, but also how different speeds affect the overall district load distributions concerning effective force, which is essential for the physiotherapist and kinesiologist for preventive and conditional purposes, while also considering possible variations in the skating technique in linear advancement.

Surface electromyographic wheel speed skate protocol and its potential in athletes' performance analysis and injury prevention.

BACKGROUND: Speed skating is a discipline that involves cyclical and repetitive movements that make athletes susceptible to injuries, especially in the groin. In professional athletes, during a season, it was found that about 20% had overuse injuries with significant consequences during the competitive season due to long recovery times. Currently, new technological tools allow the measurement of multiple parameters and, through a panel of data deriving from various measurements, provide a valuable aid for training and rehabilitative purposes. This study aimed to probe the potential of the new analysis algorithm, or its ability to detect differences in electromyographic and acceleration patterns between newcomers to the discipline and professional athletes. METHODS: We proceeded through measurements using a system based on an inertial sensor and four probes for surface electromyography. RESULTS: The analysis highlights important differences both from the point of view of accelerations (with marked oscillations on the three axes of the neophyte concerning greater stability of the professional's trunk) and a different pattern of muscle activation during joint movement a greater coactivation of the neophyte compared to the professional, which could lead to a greater risk of injury due to less training. CONCLUSIONS: This new protocol, when validated on a statistically significant sample of elite athletes leading to specific benchmarks, can be used to improve athletes' performances and maybe to prevent athletes' injuries.