Purpose: To compare the training-volume (TrV) distribution of Russian international-level male biathletes, female biathletes, and cross-country skiers (XC) during an annual cycle. Methods: Day-to-day TrVs were recorded and averaged for a 5-year period for male biathletes (n = 6), female biathletes (n = 8), and XC (n = 14) with VO2max values of 77.7 (3.8), 64.6 (1.9), and 79.4 (3.5) mL·min−1·kg−1, respectively. Results: The volumes of low- and moderate-intensity endurance training and all types of nonspecific endurance and strength training gradually decreased toward the competition period. However, the volumes and proportions of high-intensity endurance training and specific exercises (roller skiing, skiing, and shooting during high-intensity endurance training) increased by the time of the competition period. The total volume of training, volumes of low- and moderate-intensity endurance training, moderate- and high-load strength training (70%–95% 1RM), and power/speed loads did not increase gradually but reached their maximum immediately after a short stage of initial training. All teams employed the “pyramid” model of intensity distribution. Compared with the biathletes, XC demonstrated a larger (P < .01) annual volume of endurance training (~190 h), low-intensity endurance training (~183 h), and strength training (~818 sets). They also engaged in more upper-body and core-strength exercises (~769 sets), and they reached their maximum aerobic TrVs in June, while the biathletes reached theirs in July. Conclusions: In recent decades, the traditional model of periodization has been altered. The Russian XC and biathletes had significant differences in TrVs.

The study intended to compare the training load volume (TrV) distribution of elite Russian (RuXC) and Norwegian (NorXC) crosscountry skiers in a one-year macrocycle. Daily TrV of 11 RuXC skiers averaged for the period 2014/15-2017/18. The NorXC skiers' TrV obtained from the study by Sandbakk (2017). RuXC skiers had a lower volume of low-intensity (LIT, below aerobic threshold) and high-intensity (HIT, above anaerobic threshold) endurance training. They used a "pyramidal" model of intensity ratio during the entire macrocycle and did not decrease the volume of moderate-intensity (MIT) endurance training in competition periods (CPs). Conversely, NorXC skiers followed the "pyramidal" model of intensity in the preparation period (PP) but the "polarized" model in CP, significantly reducing the volume of MIT and increasing that of HIT. RuXC skiers increased TrVs more rapidly at the beginning of PPs, achieving TrV peak in June, and then gradually decreased them by March. NorXC skiers increased TrVs gradually by July and then maintained this approximate volume until November. RuXC skiers had peak volumes of LIT and strength training simultaneously in June; NorXC skiers engaged in large amounts of strength training in May and June until reaching maximum endurance loads. RuXC skiers had two "blocks" of strength training; NorXC skiers had three. A comparative analysis of the TrV distributions among the RuXC and NorXC skiers revealed significant similarity. Therefore, they can consider as models of the modern annual periodization of training loads for this kind of sport.

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