Energy cost and physiological responses of males snowshoeing with rotating and fixed toe-cord designs in powdered snow conditions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the energy cost and physiological responses of males while snowshoeing with two separate toe-cord designs (rotating toe-cord system vs. fixed toe-cord design) in powdered snow conditions. Eight males snowshoed at self-selected intensity for two, 1600 m trials in two snowshoes, with a rotating toe-cord system and a fixed-toe cord design. It was found that heart rate (HR) (140 vs. 134 beats min^-1), oxygen consumption ([Vdot]O₂) (63.4 vs. 34.0 ml kg^-1min^-1), energy cost (56.0 vs. 52.4 kJ min^-1), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) (13 vs. 12) were significantly (p<0.05) higher while snowshoeing with the fixed toe-cord design than with the rotating toe-cord system. Snowshoeing with the rotating toe-cord system at an average speed of 3.96 km h^-1 produced mean &Vdot;O₂ values that were 56% of [Vdot]O₂ max, while snowshoeing with the fixed toe-cord design at 3.86 km h^-1 evoked mean [Vdot]O₂ values that were 60% of [Vdot]O₂ max. Mean HR while snowshoeing with the rotating toe-cord system was 70% of HR max, while the mean HR when snowshoeing with the fixed toe-cord design was 74% of HR max. These findings suggest that snowshoeing with a rotating toe-cord system results in lower cardiorespiratory strain in powdered snow conditions compared to snowshoeing with a fixed toe-cord design.

Keywords:

• Oxygen Consumption
• Heart Rate
• Fixed Toe-cord
• Rotating Toe-cord