Advantages
The principal advantage of the double push is that it allows the skater to generate propulsive force during a part of the stroke cycle which was previously wasted. In the glide phase of the classic stroke, friction from road and bearings tends to slow the skater down, yet the deep knee flexion during this part of the cycle fatigues the muscles. In DP he can do useful work in this time instead. This is beneficial to his muscles and also helps him to keep his speed more nearly constant instead of surging ahead and then slowing down repeatedly.
The DP extends the effective stroke length. One of the best ways to go faster is to push further in each stroke, but whereas traditionally this requires sitting lower (restricting blood flow and increasing lactic acid production in the muscles), in DP the same leg at a higher bend angle can achieve a longer effective stroke by pushing both inward and outwards.
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