Effects of Lower Limb Muscle Isometric Strength on the 3000m

Skating Speed and Energy Metabolism Characteristics of Chinese

Elite Female Speed Skaters
Xiao-shuang ZOU
Hebei Normal University
Ke-ying ZHANG
Southeast University
Ya-xue WANG
Hebei Normal University
Dong-lin SHI
Hebei Institute of Physical Education
Dong ZHANG (  zhangdong94@163.com )
Capital University of Physical Education and Sports

Research Article

Keywords: speed skating, elite female speed skaters, isometric mid-thigh pull, energy metabolism

Posted Date: July 12th, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3130113/v1

License:   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Read Full License

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Abstract
The objective was to investigate the effect of lower limb muscle isometric strength on speed skating specialized characteristics in elite
female speed skaters. Three China speed skaters were subjects (mean age 18.0 ± 1.4) with a mean best score (4'18.9). The isometric
mid-thigh pull (IMTP) method was used to test peak force (PF), relative peak force (RPF), rate of force development (RFD), and impulse
(IMP) of the lower limb muscles from 0-250ms in June 2021 at the national training base in Qinhuangdao, China. It was concluded that
the force-time curves of the athletes' isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) exhibited varying elevated and decaying time distribution
characteristics. Combined with the skating characteristics of athletes in 3000m Competition, it was found that peak force (PF) and
relative peak force (RPF) are important factors affecting average skating speed, rate of change of speed, starting speed, maximum speed
and speed endurance. Therefore, the IMTP test can be used as an effective method for preliminary assessment of specific strength and
skating ability in the early training of speed skaters while providing effective data support for individualized lower limb strength training
and specific technical training.

Background
Speed skating as a physical ability dominant competitive speed sport. Athletes' muscles do have demanding specific strength and
energy metabolism characteristics [1]. The athlete in speed skating uses lateral bursts of pushing to generate power. During the process
of speeding skating, the lower limbs participate in external work, and the power production determines the skating speed and overall
athletic performance. Therefore, one of the most crucial aspects determining athletic performance is the muscular and joint strength of
the lower limb [2]. Athletes also need to accelerate and maintain significant speed throughout the second half of the competitions due to
the unique qualities of speed skating over 3000 meters [3]. According to previous research findings, it has been found that the elite
athletes' skating inadequacies, which were linked to their low aerobic capacity and muscular fatigue tolerance, were evident in the second
part of the competitions with quick deceleration and a significant loss in speed [4–5]. Therefore, the key to resolving the problem of
decreased skating speed and enhancing the performance of elite speed skaters is to identify the unique characteristics of lower limb
strength consistent with speed skating, scientifically measure the level of muscle fatigue resistance of athletes, and implement targeted
lower limb muscle strength and functional training [6].

Given that the Isometric Mid-thigh Pull (IMTP) is a multi-joint isometric test that is commonly used to evaluate an athlete's lower
extremity strength and explosive power level [7]. The Peak Power (PF), Relative Peak Power (RPF), Rate of Force Development (RFD), and
Impulse (IMP) components of the force-time curve utilized in this test can be used to quantitatively assess the muscle strength of
athletes. Currently, many studies have shown that this test method has been widely studied and applied in athletes' physical fitness tests
in weightlifting, rugby, soccer, basketball, and sprinting [8–10]. However, IMTP testing is currently less studied in speed skating.
Therefore, we suggested that the indices in the IMTP force-time curve could be used to evaluate the lower limb muscular strength of
speed skaters and examine its impact on energy metabolic properties. The aim is to improve the athletic performance of elite athletes,
identifying the important elements of lower limb strength characteristics, and to provide theoretical direction and a foundation for the
development of competitive tactics.

Methods
Subjects
The subjects were three elite Chinese female speed skaters with a mean age of 18.0 ± 1.4 years, who were all healthy and injury-free and
had all achieved the level of master of sports. Moreover, the athletes voluntarily participated in this experiment after signing the informed
consent form. Before the experiment, IMTP test training were conducted under relatively light strength so as to ensure a good condition
during the test. The basic information of subjects and the list of major competitions for subjects during 2019–2021 are shown in Table 1
and Table 2, respectively.

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 Table 1
Basic information of Chinese elite female speed skaters
No. Age/y Height/cm Weight/kg BMI/(kg·m- Years of Level 3000m personal best
2) training/y

S01 17.0 164.0 57.9 21.5 6.0 Master 4th place in the Chinese National
Championship/4'23.26

S02 20.0 163.7 56.9 21.2 5.0 Master 3th place in the Chinese National
Championship/4'19.19

S03 17.0 162.7 56.2 21.2 6.0 Master 3th place in the 2022–2023 ISU Speed
Skating World Cup/4'14.26

Avg. 18.0 163.5 57.0 21.3 5.7

SD. 1.4 0.6 0.7 0.1 0.5

Table 2
List of major competitions for subjects during 2019–2021
No. Date Location Altitude/m Tournament Name Tournament Number Single best result
Level of
Subjects S01 S02 S03

1 2019.8.24 Calgary, 1048 Canadian Summer Heritage Friendship 125 - - -

Canada League Tournament

2 2019.10.24 Inner 611 The 14th National Winter National A 519 3 1 5

Mongolia Games of the People's class
China Republic of China

3 2019.12.20 Daqing, 146 Chinese National Speed National A 276 5 4 5

China Skating Elite League Stop 2 class

4 2020.1.2 Harbin, 127 Chinese National Junior National B 224 1 1 1

China Speed Skating class
Championships

5 2020.1.9 Changchun, 250 Chinese National Speed National B 124 3 5 4

China Skating Championships class

6 2020.11.25 Daqing, 127 Intra-team Timed Competition No 65 - - -

China

7 2021.9.24 Urumqi, 1650 Chinese National Elite League National A 82 3 2 2

China 1st class
Station(Winter Olympic Trials)

8 2021.9.24 Urumqi, 1650 Chinese National Elite League National A 81 3 4 7

China Stop 2(Winter Olympic Trials) class

IMTP test
The IMTP test was performed on the subjects using an isometric hard puller and a dynamometer. Before the test, the subject stood on a
specially-made barbell rack and held a fixed barbell bar with both hands. Then the subject placed each foot on a separate test mat under
the direction of the tester. After that, the subject's hands were secured to the bar with wrist straps or tape, and the knee angle should be
maintained between 130° and 140° (Fig. 1). It should be noted that the subjects performed light pulling before the test to achieve a
loosening tissue. A pre-test of 50% maximal effort and 75% maximal effort was then performed to predict the subject's maximum effort.
During the maximum effort test, subjects were told to "pull as hard and as fast as possible" until the difference in peak force between two
consecutive tests did not exceed 250N. All test results with a drop in peak force of more than 200N between tests were not recorded, and
no offset was used in the test. The output is the value with the weight.
Blood Lactic Acid
Since speed skaters generally reach peak lactate 1–3 min after a competition, we collected fingertip blood from athletes 1min and 3min
after they participated in Chinese National Elite League 1 and 2 (Winter Olympic Trials). It was also tested with a portable blood lactate
meter (EKF, Germany) to assess the intensity of athletes' 3000m competitions load and blood lactate recovery efficiency.

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Competition Timing
We conducted statistical data of 8 important 3000m competitions of the three athletes during 2019–2022 (Table 2). With reference to the
statistical methods of the International Skating Federation's results and the opinions of excellent speed skating coaches, the 3,000-meter
competitions are divided into 4 stages: 0-200 meters, 200–1000 meters, 1000–1800 meters, and 1800–3000 meters for statistical
analysis. These four stages respectively reflect the skating personality characteristics of athletes in the four intervals of starting
acceleration, maximum speed, speed retention, and speed endurance. while, the speed variability reflected the athletes' descending speed
difference. The competition organizer used an electronic timing system approved by the International Skating Union to record each
athlete's time and competitions performance in each phase with an accuracy of 0.001s. The speed of each phase (segment speed =
segment distance/segment time) and relative speed (segment relative speed = segment speed/average speed of the whole course) were
calculated from the athlete's speed of each skating lap according to the calculation method of existing studies [11] .

Statistical analyses
The "OriginPro 2021" data analysis workstation were used for data analysis and graphing. SPSS 23.0 software were used for
significance testing. The coefficient of variation method was used to describe the individual differences in kinematic characteristics
indexes. The coefficient of variation were calculated as CV%=σ/µ × 100 (CV% is the coefficient of variation, σ is the standard deviation,
reflecting the degree of dispersion of the unit mean, µ is the mean value). When CV% ≤ 10, it was defined as no significant difference,
when CV% was between 10 ~ 100, it was defined as relatively significant difference, and when CV% ≥ 100, it was defined as significant
difference.

Results
Results of isometric strength test of athletes' lower limb muscles
We tested the values of PF, RFD, IMP and other indicators that can be derived from the variables of force-time curve by IMTP. The results
showed that the S01 athlete had the highest PF (1307N) and RPF (23N/s). While the S03 athlete had the highest PF at different force
times from 50ms-250ms with 339N, 642N, 852N, 922N, and 967N, respectively (Fig. 2a). S03 athlete had the highest RFD (15177N/s)
(Fig. 2b). In addition, S03 athlete had the highest IMP values of 0-50ms33N・s, 0-100ms112N・s, 0-150ms205N・s, 0-200ms303N・s, 0-
250ms404N・s (Fig. 2c). The most significant individual differences in 50msRFD, 100msRFD (CV%=40.73, CV%=40.40), followed by
50msPF, 100msPF (CV%=39.72, CV%=39.54) were observed in the three athletes. The significance of individual differences in PF, RFD,
and IMP at different times of the athletes were in descending order of 50ms, 100ms, 150ms, 200ms, and by 250ms individual differences
were no longer significant (Fig. 2d).

Figure 3 shows the force-time curve from 0 to 250ms after the start of the athlete's mid-thigh hard pulling action during the test. The
shaded part represents the Impulse (IMP), which is the area enclosed by the force-time curve. It reflects the sum of peak forces over time,
i.e., the athlete's ability to change the state or inclination of an object to move [12]. First, the force-time curve of the IMTP test in the
interval from 0-250ms and the PF-IMP variation relationship show that the overall PF and IMP levels of the three athletes increased with
time. All show the characteristics of stronger back-range power than front-range, but the total amount differs significantly, with S03
having the largest peak and total value of impulse and S01 the smallest. In addition, in terms of RFD characteristics, S01 showed a "low-
high-low" variation (Fig. 3a). There is a peak in the middle section, with a faster decline in the latter section and the lowest total. S02
showed a "low-high" characteristic, with a low in the first section and a rise in the latter section (Fig. 3b). The total amount of S03 was the
highest, showing a "low-high-low" change (Fig. 3c), and there was a plateau period of steady growth in the middle section. The test
results proved that the PF, RFD and IMP of the three athletes had strong individual characteristics over time. This reveals variances in the
temporal distribution of the size and speed of lower extremity forces generated by athletes doing the same movement.
Influence law of lower limb muscle isometric strength difference on 3000m
gliding speed characteristics
To investigate the association between lower limb muscle isometric strength and skating speed in competitive speed skaters. In this
study, the skating characteristics of three athletes during eight competitions were analyzed against IMTP parameters (Table 3). Figure 4
depicts the average lap skating speed variation and linear curves for the three speed skaters in the eight major competitions. First, we
compared the velocity characteristic curves of subject S01 (1,306.73N) and subject S02 (1,030.36N), which had the largest difference
between the velocity change rate and the peak force (PF) (Figs. 4a, 4c). The first middle section of S01's relative skating speed curve has

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a main function curve characteristic, whereas S02 has a logarithmic function curve characteristic. The S01 curve decreases faster and
the absolute value of the slope is greater than that of S02. Then, we compared the speed characteristic curves of subject S01 (22.77 N‧s-
1) and subject S02 (17.67 N‧s-1), who had the largest difference in speed retention and force generation rate (RFD). From the skating
speed curves (Figs. 4a and 4c), it can be seen that S02 has a slower decreasing speed trend than S01 in the range of 1000 m to 1800 m.
From the linear curves seen (Figs. 4b and 4d), the slope of S02 is smaller in absolute value than that of S01. Finally, we compared the
relative speed change curves of subject S02 (322.40 N・s) and subject S03 (404.36 N・s), who had the largest difference in speed
endurance characteristics from IMP0-250 ms ( Figs. 4a, 4e). It can be seen that the relative speed of S03 decreases more slowly and the
absolute value of slope is smaller after 1800m relative to S02. In contrast S02 time and speed are linearly related to the decreasing trend,
S03 at about 1600m-2200m decreasing rate instead lower.

Table 3
The skating characteristics of speed skaters in 3000m competitions (n = 8, M ± SD)
No. Season Average Rate of Start Maximum Speed Speed endurance
average Skating change of acceleration speed interval maintenance interval (1800-
ranking/(m/s) speed/(m/s) velocity interval (0- (200- interval (1000- 3000m)/(m/s)
200m) /(m/s) 1000m)/(m/s) 1800m)/(m/s)
CV%/(m/s)

S01 5.33 ± 3.20 11.41 ± 0.11 4.21 ± 0.93 9.57 ± 0.14 12.20 ± 0.29 11.70 ± 0.21 11.10 ± 0.20

S02 5.50 ± 3.95 11.26 ± 0.13 3.31 ± 1.40 9.32 ± 0.15 12.05 ± 0.32 11.60 ± 0.18 10.97 ± 0.24

S03 7.80 ± 3.31 11.39 ± 0.18 4.39 ± 1.78 9.56 ± 0.45 12.08 ± 0.42 11.52 ± 0.26 11.25 ± 0.39

Effect of lower limb muscle isometric strength on energy metabolism in

3000m competitions skating
In this study, blood lactate was tested in three athletes immediately after 1min and 3min at the end of 3000m competition in National
Elite League 1st and 2nd (2022 Winter Olympic Games Trials). It was also analyzed in the combination of speed characteristics and
Competition performance in order to find the relationship between athletes' lower limb strength characteristics and energy metabolism.
First, the results show (Fig. 5) that the three athletes performed better in Competition 2 than Competition 1 while reflecting a lower
coefficient of variation in speed. The blood lactate from the two competitions showed a general increase in blood lactate in the 2nd
competition compared to the 1st competition. Among them, the average speed of S01 in addition to startup increased by 0.08m/s, and
the peak blood lactate increased by 4.6mmol/L. S02 speed decreased by 0.05m/s and blood lactate value increased by 2.7mmol/L. S03
speed was elevated by 0.17m/s and peak blood lactate was elevated by 1.9mmol/L. The results showed (Table 4) that S03 skated faster
and had a smaller rise in blood lactate compared to S01 and S02. Furthermore, it can be seen that S03 has higher average lap time/peak
lactate values of 0.98 and 0.86 in the 2 Competitions than S01 (0.92, 0.67) and S02 (0.94, 0.77), respectively.

Table 4
Chinese elite female speed skaters' lap time characteristics in the 3000m competitions at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games Trials
200m/(m/s) Lap1 Lap2 Lap3 Lap4 Lap5 Lap6 Lap7 Avg. SD. CV Ranking
/(m/s) /(m/s) /(m/s) /(m/s) /(m/s) /(m/s) /(m/s) /(m/s)

S01- 9.592 12.747 12.488 12.096 11.665 11.186 10.761 10.920 11.651 0.720 6.180 10
1

S02- 8.522 13.068 12.140 11.958 11.884 11.504 10.965 10.793 11.716 0.711 6.070 11
1

S03- 9.515 12.473 12.300 11.845 11.478 11.093 10.698 10.619 11.460 0.686 5.984 12
1

S01- 9.528 12.477 12.026 11.905 11.652 11.547 11.377 11.245 11.734 0.392 3.337 7
2

S02- 9.676 12.465 12.180 11.827 11.514 11.370 11.386 11.071 11.670 0.458 3.924 8
2

S03- 9.337 12.311 12.308 11.937 11.806 11.465 11.065 10.727 11.632 0.561 4.825 9
2

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Discussion
Characteristics of speed skaters' physical fitness distribution in 3000m
competitions
First, we discovered that the amount of change in peak force (PF) values in the IMTP test was a significant reference indicator in the
follow-up investigation. The larger the change in PF over the same period of time, the more outstanding the explosive quality. The shorter
the time spent in equal PF changes, the stronger the isometric force [13–14]. Since long-distance speed skating requires athletes to
maintain a high speed of uniform motion with the help of continuous pedal power of the lower limbs [15], which is very physically
demanding for athletes, so a reasonable distribution of speed and physical energy in each phase is an important element of long-
distance speed skating techniques and tactics [16]. Second, we discovered that the individual variability of test parameters such as PF,
RFD, and IMP was greater in the early half of the test period for the three subject athletes than in the second half. This indicates that
there is significant individual variability in the anterior segment of the athletes' lower limb power generation. This difference may be due
to the more pronounced difference in the athletes' starting strength monitoring values and the gradual decay of the effect in the later
period of monitoring. Athletes need to have good strength endurance and speed endurance to maintain a small drop differential after
reaching maximum speed in order to keep the energy expenditure reduced [17]. But the problem of excessive drop differential has existed
for a long time among speed skaters, so how to maintain the front speed advantage in the backstretch skating in athletes' competition is
especially crucial to improve the competitive level of speed skaters [18].

In addition, comparing the 3000m speed characteristics of world-class athletes can be seen (Fig. 6). After reaching the maximum speed
at the end of the 1st lap, the S02 athletes could not maintain the high-speed skating, and the speed dropped significantly in the latter part
of the skating. While the world-class athletes could maintain the higher speed and longer time, while the drop rate was lower. Moreover,
world-class athletes have fully developed bodies with tall proportions [19], outstanding explosive power and speed endurance, and have
the advantage of both physical characteristics and athletic ability compared to S02 athletes [20]. China elite athletes have no significant
differences in physical form and athletic quality, and even the advantages of athletic quality are not outstanding. There is also a lot of
room for improvement in terms of technical and tactical level, special ability and athletic quality developed and cultivated by later
training, so it is very important to find the athletic quality and technical shortcomings of elite athletes to become a top athlete and quickly
improve the quality of training and athletic level.

The law of lower limb muscle isometric strength characteristics on the effect
of speed
Isometric force refers to the force generated by a muscle contraction while maintaining a constant length, allowing muscle tension to
reach its maximum capacity [21]. Although no external work is performed since the body does not move, the muscle still requires a
significant amount of energy. Because active contraction generates tension, leading to the elongation of the elastic component of the
muscle to resist the applied load. Isometric strength of the muscle serves as a foundation for maintaining specific human posture and
athletic performance [22].

The results of the study showed that the isometric strength of the lower limb muscles of the three speed skaters influenced not only the
start-up acceleration in the first half of the Competition, but also the speed retention and speed endurance qualities in the second half of
the Competition [23]. According to the survey, world-class speed skating long-distance athletes have a good stamina distribution strategy
in the 3000m competition. They have the characteristics of fast starting speed, strong mid-range speed maintenance ability and small
back-range speed reduction difference [24–25]. However, most athletes have an elevated level of energy metabolism in the body during
the middle and late stages due to the alternation between the anaerobic and aerobic energy supply systems, as well as a significant
increase in the rate of lower limb work. Due to the slower rise in heart rate, the athlete's oxygen demand will exceed the maximum oxygen
uptake thus creating an oxygen debt. This leads to insufficient oxygen and energy supply to local muscle tissues and lactic acid
accumulation in the local muscles of the lower limbs. At the same time, the problem of local tissue hypoxia, lactic acidosis, decreased
ability and frequency of lower limbs to do work, occurs. Therefore, long distance speed skaters should not only have good absolute lower
limb strength to improve the efficiency of skating [26], but also need to have sustained lower limb explosive strength and speed
endurance to maintain the skating rhythm. And the lower limb muscles should have good lactic acid tolerance and fatigue resistance to
counteract the physiological reactions that occur during skating, all of these lower limb muscle characteristics play a vital role in skating.

In fact, the speed skating technique is characterized by the requirement for the athlete to achieve short and intensive push-offs while
stroking [27] and to maintain a relatively stable posture, which requires a high level of lower limb strength. In speed skating, the total
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power output of an athlete during competition is determined by the product of work per stroke and stroke frequency. Therefore, the key
factor affecting speed is the amount of work done by the athlete in each stroke [28], making it crucial for the athlete to perform work
efficiently. While most sports require athletes to push forward using an opposite direction, in speed skating, athletes need to push
sideways to generate forward propulsion due to the unique characteristics of ice friction [29–30]. Therefore, the performance of speed
skaters largely depends on their ability to generate muscle power, and athletes must use proper movements and techniques to deliver
maximum force to their skating motion. Studies have shown that the hip extensors can produce maximum muscle power during the
explosive skating phase, while the muscle power of the hip, knee, and ankle joints decrease as skating speed increases, ultimately
impacting the power output of each aspect of skating performance [31]. Another study pointed out that strengthening the rapid
contraction ability of the leg muscles would improve the specific power of the athletes' stirrups [32]. Therefore, the explosive power of the
lower limbs is crucial for speed skaters.

From the biomechanical point of view, the power output of speed skaters is mainly used to overcome air resistance and ice friction [33].
Athletes can reduce the drag coefficient by changing their posture to reduce the windward area and keeping their bodies in a streamlined
posture. So, maintaining a smaller hip and knee angle and a lower squat angle during the skating phase is more beneficial to athletes'
resistance reduction. However, Low squat angles can easily cause muscle compression in the lower limbs of athletes. This results in
reduced blood flow to the lower extremities, leading to local muscle hypoxia and premature exercise fatigue. At the same time,
insufficient lower limb strength will also lead to deformation of the backstroke and compensatory phenomena. So that the body cannot
maintain a continuous low sitting skating posture, increasing air resistance and friction. Therefore, in order to maintain a good stance on
the ice it is also necessary to improve the endurance of the lower limb muscles.

Isometric strength training of lower limb muscles

Speed skating is a type of high-speed competition [34]. In the first half of the athletes use anaerobic glycolytic system to supply a large
proportion of energy. And the latter part of the skating will be converted to aerobic metabolism for energy supply [35]. So, a large amount
of lactic acid produced by anaerobic metabolism will be created and accumulated in the muscles in the early part of the competition. It
has been shown that the lower lactate indicates, the higher efficiency of work done by the athlete at the same speed. If the lactate rise is
nearly the same, the skating will be faster This demonstrates that the greater the economy of movement due to specialized strength and
skating technique [36]. As speed skaters pay more attention to the improvement of aerobic and anaerobic capacity, the development of
endurance qualities and flexibility qualities in their daily training is very evident. They relatively neglected lower extremity specific
strength training, especially the development of certain specific muscle strength types in the lower extremities. The results of this study
show that the isometric strength of the lower limb muscles is very important for the skating ability of speed skaters. Thus, the key to
enhancing an athlete's skating performance is to exercise their lower limb isometric strength. There are many lower limb strength and
explosive power training methods, such as deep squats, jumps, and other conventional training methods, such as isometric contraction
training and plyometric training, as training methods that have been adopted in recent years to improve the rapid strength ability of the
lower limbs, can be applied to daily speed skating special physical training [37].

Firstly, isometric contraction training is divided into static and dynamic contraction training [38]. Static contraction training involves
sustained muscle contraction against a fixed object such as a wall or training device. Dynamic contraction training is performed by
contracting against a moving object, such as holding the weight at a certain point and then relaxing back to the origin. Dynamic
contraction training should be used when the muscle contraction strength is lower than the maximum contraction strength, contraction
duration is generally 5 to 20s, etc., High intensity lasts 3s athletes in the isometric contraction training is recommended to start from a
lower level of strength, gradually progressive, which is conducive to the development of muscle strength. In the isometric contraction
training should be noted in the maximum degree of muscle contraction to naturally hold your breath, to avoid holding your breath caused
by blood pressure. The exercises should be performed at different levels of joint mobility to maximize the training of the participating
muscles.

Furthermore, plyometric training (PT) is an extension of the impact training method used by Verkhoshansky in the former Soviet Union to
improve muscle explosive power [39]. It emphasizes different practice means to complete jumping down - jumping up - and then jumping
up quickly within the specified height, which can show a variety of training forms such as rotary jump, straddle jump, side skating step
jump and single-leg jump (Fig. 7). The muscle contraction form of super-length training fits well with the sports mechanics
characteristics of fast power generation required of athletes in modern competitive sports [40]. So, it is used in physical training to
develop the qualities of maximal strength, fast power and explosive power of athletes with obvious effects, and it has become a
common training method for lower limb strength training. It has been found that plyometric training can increase the stiffness of muscle
tendons and improve the economy of movement of athletes thus improving their competitive performance, but no significant changes in

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lactate threshold and maximal oxygen uptake occurred in athletes after training [41]. It has also been found that weight-bearing
plyometric training can significantly increase peak hip and ankle moments, peak joint power, joint stiffness, and thus high lower limb
muscle strength and explosive power, as well as improve neuromuscular adaptations by reducing hip antagonist muscle activation, and
this type of training method was found to be well suited for competitive events [42]. The use of plyometric training methods for speed
skating physical training can not only develop the lower limb specific explosive power of athletes and thus improve the frequency and
effect of skating, but also improve the stiffness and stability of the hip and ankle joints of athletes. Thus, the rationalization of the
movement is improved and the efficiency of the stirrups is improved. It is an efficient training method for speed skaters with specific
lower body strength worth promoting.

Conclusion
Our study suggests that the IMTP test, as a method to assess the isometric strength of lower limb muscles, can test the lower limb
specific strength and explosive power of speed skaters and make preliminary assessment of the skating ability characteristics such as
initiation, acceleration, speed endurance, etc. Athletes can improve their lower limb strength and explosive power through isometric
contraction training and plyometric training to enhance their performance.

Declarations
Acknowledgement

Not applicable

Author contributions

ZD and SDL: experimental design. WYX: data collection. ZXS: writing—original draft preparation. ZKY: writing—review and editing. All the
authors discussed the results and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

Supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation（No.2022M711859）

Availability of Data and Material (ADM)

The anonymized dataset used for analysis will be made available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Competing interests

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed
as a potential conflict of interest.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. This study is approved by the Institutional Review Board of
Tsinghua University (Protocol No: 20190040) . Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before inclusion. Study
participation is voluntary.

Consent for publication

Written informed consent was obtained from individuals who served as models in the images used in this publication.

Author details

ZOU Xiao-shuang, College of Physical Education, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China. Email: 7803092479@qq.com

ZHANG Ke-ying: Department of Physical Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210012, China. Email: bsuzky0812@163.com

WANG Ya-xue, College of Physical Education, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China. Email: 2396708925@qq.com

SHI Dong-lin, Hebei Sport University, Shijiazhuang 050041, China. Email: shidonglinok@163.com
Page 8/15
Corresponding Author Information: ZHANG Dong, China Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Sports, Capital University of Physical
Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China. Email: zhangdong94@163.com

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Figures

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Figure 1

IMTP test schematic (a:Test posture and equipment b:Test Acquisition Data)

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Figure 2

Distribution of Coefficient of variation of IMTP test results

Figure 3

PF-time curve of 0-250ms after the action has started

(The dashed part represents the RFD from 0-100ms and 0-250ms, F100ms and 250ms are the force output at 100ms and 250ms, the
shaded area under the curve represents the IMP, i.e., the accumulation of force in a specific time period, IMP0-100ms, 100-250ms is the
impulse within 0-100ms and 100-250ms）

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Figure 4

Variation curve of the average skating speed characteristics of elite female speed skaters in 3000m competitions lap（a, b, c, d, e, and fare
the relative skating velocity curves and linear curves of S01, S02, and S03, respectively）

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Figure 5

Speed characteristics and blood lactic acid after 3000m competitions（S01-1, S02-1, S03-1 are the data of the 1st match of 3 athletes，
S01-2, S02-2, S03-2 are the data of the 2nd match of 3 athletes）

Figure 6

Comparison of speed characteristics between world class female speed skaters and elite female speed skaters in the 3000m
competitions（The curve ■ is Chinese elite female speed skating athlete S02, the logo ▲ is Dutch elite female speed skating athlete
Evelyn Wayne）

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Figure 7

The common method of plyometric training（a: spin jump b: straddle jump c: side slide d: rope ladder inversion e: single-leg jump; pictures
from the famous American speed skater / speed skater Joey Mantia's daily training video, the author used Kinovea video software for
post-video decomposition and production）

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