Speed Skating

SPEED SKATING, a form of physical exercise, movement on ice using skates. The latter consist of metal blades with platforms for attaching the skates to footwear and come in various constructions depending on special requirements: "simple," "running," "figure," etc. The basic movements in S.S. consist of alternating pushing off with one leg from the ice surface and gliding on the other leg by inertia obtained from the push of the first leg. At the beginning of movement, when inertia for gliding is still insufficient (e.g., at the start) or at very high speed (e.g., in short-distance running), gliding must often be replaced by a new push. This creates the complete impression of running on skates. With high technique of movement, thanks to full utilization of the push force, gliding can be possible (without significant loss of speed) for a long time. The length of the "stride" in this case reaches 15-16 m, with an hourly speed of about 36 km. The small coefficient of friction that occurs when the metal blade of the skate (especially "running"—thin and long) glides over the smooth ice surface makes movement on skates not a difficult task for the body in terms of energy expenditure. As can be seen from the comparative data on gas exchange research during various sports (Liljestrand, Stenstrom) presented below, movement on skates, along with cycling, in this regard belongs to the lightest physical exercises, even at high speed. Type of physical exercise Bicycle . . Skates Walking Running Skis Swimming . Speed of movement in 1 min. in meters Consumption of O₂ per 1 M of path per 1 kg of weight in ml 150 250 350 200 250 300 350 70 90 115 115 200 250 120 150 200 225 20 30 50 0.05 0.05 0.06 0.03 0.07-0.08 0.07-0.09 0.09 0.10-0.11 0.11-0.13 0.15-0.17 0.18-0.21 0.15-0.18 0.14-0.15 0.16-0.21 0.15-0.22 0.15-0.20 0.15 0.31-0.82 0.40-0.82 0.54-0.82 These results of gas exchange (energy consumption) research fully justify physiologically the difference in speed of movement in various sports. Comparison of world achievements in "classic" distances of speed S.S. with the highest achievements in the same distances in running gives the following figures. Type of exercise Distance 500 m | 1,500 m 5,000 M 10,000m Skates . . Running .... 42.8" 2' 17.4" 1' 02.9" 3' 50.8" 8' 26.5" 14' 28.0" 17' 22.6" 30' 6.0" The main work in movement on skates is performed by the muscles of the lower extremities, especially the thighs. However, maintaining the correct body position, facilitating forward movement during gliding and maintaining balance on straightaways and during turns also require significant coordinated work of the body musculature and to some extent of the upper extremities. S.S. is conducted in various forms: in the form of simple skating, figure skating, speed running, in a number of mobile and sports games (e.g., hockey). In all these forms of S.S., it beneficially affects the body, developing agility and smoothness of movement, musculature (mainly lower extremities and back extensors), exercising the respiratory and cardiovascular apparatus. "The influence mentioned above is facilitated by the general hygienic conditions of training in fresh, frosty air. These qualities make S.S. a valuable means of physical culture and, along with skiing, the most popular form of physical exercise in all northern countries. The advantage of S.S. over skiing is greater accessibility due to the possibility of training without significant time expenditure (arrangement of rinks within the city). However, S.S. yields to skiing in terms of educational value (lack of development of decisiveness and courage, practical skills, some monotony of movement on the limited area of the rink) and in hygienic terms [more one-sided physical development (mainly development of lower extremities), less development of endurance]. The physiological load in S.S. is directly dependent on two main factors: 1) the speed of movement and 2) the duration of the activity (exercise). Both of these factors must be taken into account when assessing the magnitude of the load and dosing S.S. activities for a particular case. Of all forms of S.S., the least physiological load is in simple skating, which has the character of calm movement on ice, without striving for speed. This form of S.S. is a valuable physical exercise for both sexes, starting from childhood and ending in old age. In the absence of contraindications, skating can also be used as a healthy form of recreation in sanatoriums and as a physical therapy method for a number of patients in sanatoriums (neurotics, cardiac, pulmonary). Teaching children to skate can begin at 6-7 years of age, but one must ensure gradual increase in the quantity, intensity and duration of activities, not allowing more than 2-3 times a week for 30-40 minutes initially. When teaching at ages 11-12, the number of sessions can be increased to three to four times a week, 40-60 minutes each. Systematic teaching of figure skating, which requires better physical development and good skating technique, should preferably not begin before 11-12 years. Finally, speed running, associated with great stress and therefore requiring adequate preparation, is not permitted before 13-14 years as occasional activities and not before 15-16 years as systematic training, but provided there is a favorable medical assessment of physical development and health status and general physical preparation (skating for 2-3 years). Competitions in figure skating and speed running should not be permitted before 16-17 years, only to group competitions (for approximately the same age) and when conducting mandatory medical examinations and monitoring of regular training. Orthodiagraphic studies by Deutsch and Kauf showed that in terms of frequency of harmful effects on the heart, S.S. generally belongs to the most favorable types of sports. The nature of changes in the functions of individual organs and systems when running at various distances may depend on a number of reasons: the degree of special preparation for a particular distance, constitutional features of speed skaters. Other things being equal, in speed skating, the magnitude of the load and the degree of changes in the body are directly dependent on the distance. For example, Kiparisov's observations gave the following results. At the start, Distance

Distance

Notes Weight in kg........... Height in cm .......... Pulse.....1 number Respiration . . . . / in 10 sec. Blood pressure in mm Hg: maximum . . . . minimum . . . . amplitude ...... -0,27 -0,3 + 5,7 +4,4 + 8;2 -11,6 + 15,3 -0,41 -0,7 + 7,1 +4,8 + 11, - 8, +16, -0,6 no change -0,69 no change -0,6 » » -1,0 » » +6,4 + 1,2 + 6 + 2 +5,2 + 1,4 + 0,5 + 2,9 -10,6 -6,3 -11,1 - 8,7 - 4,6 -0,3 - 2,⁷ + 10 - 7,2 - 9,9 1. In the blood leukocyte formula after running 500 m no unfavorable shifts (according to Schilling) were found, after running 1,500 m they were in 22% of all cases. 2. In the urine of participants after running all distances protein was found, the amount of which increased with the length of the distance (from traces to 0,77₀₀). The above position requires that distances for competitions for speed skaters under 18 years of age and for women be chosen less than usually practiced: e.g. for 15-16 years within 100-500 m, for 16- 17 years-up to 1,000 m and etc.-In Speed Skating, compliance with hygienic requirements regarding temperature conditions, clothing, footwear, etc. is of essential importance. For children under 16 years of age, to avoid irritation of the respiratory tract by frosty air and frostbite, training should not be allowed at temperatures below -12°, and with wind - below -10°. For older ages, the limiting temperature should be considered -16°, with wind -12°. Competitions for adults, according to existing rules, are not held at temperatures below -22°. Clothing should not restrict movement, should allow body vapors to pass through, be light in weight, and not be excessively warm, so as not to cause excessive body warming, which is dangerous in terms of colds when stopping after movement. To prevent frostbite, greasing of the face, ears, toes, etc. with fat is recommended. Feet should be well insulated (wool socks, wrapping toes with paper). Footwear-special or adapted ordinary-should fit snugly on the foot, but at the same time not compress it excessively, which would impede blood circulation in the foot and accelerate its freezing.-In Speed Skating, various types of traumatic injuries are quite common. Preventive measures for beginners and children are: choosing a skate design with a low-sitting platform on the runner and a wide skate blade, good securing of the skate on the shoe, and avoiding skating during hours of mass public gathering on the rink (a measure especially important for children). As shown by statistical accounting of traumatic injuries, most of them depend on general disorder on the rinks. Therefore, the tasks of sanitary supervision include monitoring compliance with the basic rules for organizing the operation of the rink: proper movement of skaters clockwise, presence of a bridge across the track for access to the inner circle, prohibition of skating in pairs and groups on the track, etc. On large rinks, measures for providing timely medical assistance are also necessary: presence of a first-aid kit, duty of a nurse, established communication for calling a doctor, etc. Lit.: Deich F. and Kauf E., Sport and Heart, L.-M., 1926; Zhemchuzhnikov A., Load Standards for Skis and Skates, M., 1929; Ippolitov P., Speed Skating, M., 1927; Liljestrand G. u StenstromN., Respiratory Changes in Walking, Running, Skiing and Skating, Scandinavian Archives for Physiology, Vol. XXXIX, 1920; Mandl F., Surgery of Sports Accidents, B.-Vienna, 1925.