INTRODUCTION: Ski mountaineering (SkiMo) is gaining prominence as it becomes part of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, yet scientific literature on the discipline remains limited. Sprint competitions, as described by Fornasiero et al. [1], emphasize the importance of optimal performance during transitions and uphill sections, with training focusing on supramaximal efforts lasting 1.5-2.5 minutes. This study investigates upper body muscular activity during polepushing in flat and uphill sections, analyzing activation patterns and cycle time to better understand the biomechanical demands of sprint ski-mountaineering in elite athletes. METHODS: Six elite SkiMo athletes completed maximal-effort tests on an outdoor uphill track simulating sprint competitions, replicating the typical duration and the positive elevation gain. EMG signal data were recorded for each subject, focusing on the biceps brachii long head (BB), triceps brachii lateral head (TB), posterior deltoid (PD), and latissimus dorsi (LT). Maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) were measured to compute relative muscle activation. Cycle time was calculated based on EMG data. RMS value for EMG was averaged over the cycle. Data were calculated over 10 conscutive cycles for each tract and statistical comparisons were performed to analyze differences in parameters between the flat section and the steep section of the course. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: Results show a reduction in muscular activation among the 1st flat and the 2nd steep part of the track with significant differences in BB (14±8% vs. 6±2% MVC, P= 0.004), TB (34±16% vs. 19±13% MVC, P=0.001) and PD (17±4% vs. 10±3% MVC, P=0.01). No significant differences for LT were found. Results also show a significant difference in the cycle time, which increases among the 1st and the 2nd part of the track (0.78 ± 0.10s and 0.96 ± 0.16s respectively, P= 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study highlights significant changes in muscle activation and cycle time when comparing the flat initial section to the steep final segment of the simulated SkiMo sprint course. However, it remains unclear whether these changes are driven by athlete fatigue or the increased slope incline. Future research should focus on analyzing an additional segment at the start of the steep slope to differentiate the effects of terrain from fatigue, providing insights into optimizing performance in critical uphill sections [1].
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