The Lower Extremity Dexterity Test Quantifies Sensorimotor Control for Cross-country Skiing

The lower extremity dexterity test quantifies sensorimotor control for cross country skiing. Introduction: Research on top-level crosscountry skiing ability is predominately centered on the athlete´s physical fitness, biomechanical aspects of the skiing technique, and materials that make up ski hardware. Results concerning aerobic endurance capacity have been extended by new findings regarding the importance of anaerobic capacity and upper body power and strength training to improve poling form and achieve higher speeds (Sandbakk et al. 2014, Mikkola et al. 2010). Furthermore, biomechanical studies of skiing at higher speeds reveal both higher poling frequency and increased cycle length (Lindinger et al. 2009, Sandbakk et al. 2011) including the gliding phase. Finally, ski friction is measured with tribometers in specialized labs developed to improve ski-base hardware. However, despite these scientific advances, we lack a scientific understanding, and means to evaluate, the sensorimotor control mechanisms that determine gliding skill of athletes. Gliding skill is often characterized by balance tasks (e.g. Platzer et al. 2009) but the fit to the actual skiing technique is critically under-discussed. There seems to be only a small part of skill that is transferred from a static or