Comparison Of Body Strength Between Cross Country Skiers And Long Distance Track And Field Athletes

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is comparing the upper and lower body strength of cross country skiers(CC) with long distance track and field athletes(LA). METHODS: The study included 18 adult cross country skiers, 22 long distance athletes. The participants were measured for upper and lower limb muscular strength, and anaerobic power. The collected data were organized using Windows SPSS 26.0, and descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests. RESULTS: The results of the CC average grip strength for the left, right hands (41.35 ± 4.58, 41.70 ± 4.64, 41.53 ± 4.51 kg) was significantly higher than that of LA (27.73 ± 3.66, 31.07 ± 4.82, 29.40 ± 4.21) (p < .05). The back strength was also higher in CC (117.20 ± 9.08 kg) compared to LA (79.21 ± 17.65 kg) (p < .001). But power was higher in CC in vertical, long jumps (p < .05). In female athletes, CC showed higher strength in the left (26.35 ± 3.53 kg), right (28.85 ± 1.55 kg) hands, average grip strength (27.60 ± 1.33 kg), and back strength (76.63 ± 7.94 kg) compared to LA (p < .05). There were no significant differences in muscular endurance for sit ups, but in push ups, CC performed more repetitions (57.75 ± 6.80) compared to LA (45.43 ± 5.80) (p = 0.011). Power, measured by vertical, long jumps, was also higher in female CC (p < .05). The analysis of isokinetic strength differences in both male and female athletes showed that male CC had higher left quadriceps strength relative to body weight (299.50 ± 39.79%BW) compared to LA (246.81 ± 47.66%BW) (p = 0.018). In female athletes, CC had higher left quadriceps strength relative to body weight (261.36 ± 39.17%BW) compared to LA (221.73 ± 21.56%BW) (p = 0.011), and right quadriceps strength relative to body weight (263.77 ± 39.53%BW) compared to LA (226.84 ± 21.42%BW) (p = 0.037). The analysis of anaerobic power showed that male CC had higher peak power (9.69 ± 0.56 watts/kg) and average power (7.66 ± 0.37 watts/kg) compared to LA (6.46 ± 1.96 watts/kg, 5.15 ± 1.37 watts/kg) (p = 0.041, p = 0.031). There were no significant differences in fatigue index between the two groups. In female athletes, CC had higher average power (4.55 ± 0.17 watts/kg) compared to LA (3.82 ± 0.42 watts/kg) (p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the results of the study indicate that the strength of CC is relatively higher in both upper and lower body strength compared to LA.