In the current study, we evaluated the impact of exercise intensity on gender differences in upper-body poling among cross-country skiers, as well as the associated differences in aerobic capacity, maximal strength, body composition, technique and extent of training. Eight male and eight female elite skiers, gender-matched for level of performance by FIS points, carried out a 4-min submaximal, and a 3-min and 30-sec maximal all-out test of isolated upper-body double poling on a Concept2 ski ergometer. Maximal upper-body power and strength (1RM) were determined with a pull-down exercise. In addition, body composition was assessed with a DXA scan and training during the previous six months quantified from diaries. Relative to the corresponding female values (defined as 100%), the power output produced by the men was 88%, 95% and 108% higher during the submaximal, 3-min and 30-sec tests, respectively, and peak power in the pull-down strength exercise was 118% higher (all P<0.001). During the ergometer tests the work performed per cycle by the men was 97%, 102% and 91% greater, respectively, and the men elevated their cycle rate to a greater extent at higher intensities (both P<0.01). Furthermore, men had a 61% higher VO2peak, 58% higher 1RM, relatively larger upper-body mass (61% vs 56%) and reported considerably more upper-body strength and endurance training (all P<0.05). In conclusion, gender differences in upper-body power among cross-country skiers augmented as the intensity of exercise increased. The gender differences observed here are greater than those reported previously for both lower- and whole-body sports and coincided with greater peak aerobic capacity and maximal upper-body strength, relatively more muscle mass in the upper-body, and more extensive training of upper-body strength and endurance among the male skiers.

Impulse radio ultra wideband radar technology is a promising tool in terms of affordable and practical objective sleep assessment. Further technical development and more validation studies are needed in order to conclude about the utility potential of this device.

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Administrativ koordinator, Institutt for nevromedisin, Senter for Toppidrettsforskning, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU) Administrativ leder, Olympiatoppen Midt-Norge trine.lokke@ntnu.no Frode MoenFørsteamanuensis, Institutt for pedagogikk og livslang laering, Senter for Toppidrettsforskning, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU) Avdelingsleder, Olympiatoppen Midt-Norge frmoe@online.no SAMMENDRAG Tidligere studier har antydet at idrettstrenere ikke får sitt behov for laering og kompetanseutvikling tilfredsstilt av formelle utdanningssystemer. Med bakgrunn i dette er målet med denne studien å undersøke faktiske og foretrukne laeringskilder blant norske trenere. I et strukturert spørreskjema vurderte 510 trenere 19 ulike typer laeringskilder på en 7-delt Likert-skala, med utgangspunkt i laeringskildens betydning henholdsvis for deres kompetanseutvikling hittil i karrieren, og for deres videre utvikling. Kilder knyttet til kommunikasjon med kolleger og refleksjon rundt egen erfaring ble høyest vurdert. Når laeringskildene ble kategorisert som «formelle», «uformelle» eller «selvstyrte», fremsto selvstyrte laeringskilder som signifikant viktigere enn formelle og uformelle laeringskilder, både for trenernes utvikling hittil i karrieren og for videre utvikling (p < 0,01). Formelle laeringskilder ble vurdert som signifikant mindre viktig for videre utvikling, sammenlignet med for utvikling hittil i trenerkarrieren (p < 0,01). Vurderingen av formelle og selvstyrte laeringskilders betydning for utvikling hittil i karrieren og for videre utvikling var dessuten signifikant avhengig av nivået trenerne praktiserte på (p < 0,05). Funnene diskuteres i lys av tidligere forskning, og forsøkes sett i et helhetlig perspektiv både når det gjelder trenernes

Research suggests that the numbers of coaches who are suffering from burnout symptoms are considerably high among coaches in elite sport. In this study, the authors explore the effects of the coach-athlete working alliance on positive-and negative affect and burnout in a group of high-level coaches. An online survey, consisting of the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Version, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the Maslach Burnout Inventory, was completed by a sample of 299 coaches working with elite athletes or junior elite athletes. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling. The model explained 57% of the variance in cynicism, 32% of the variance in reduced sense of accomplishment and 26% of the variance in exhaustion. These effects mainly derived from positive affect and negative affect. However, working alliance showed a significant indirect effect on all three dimensions of burnot through the mediating variables positive affect and negative affect. These results are discussed in a cognitive activation-perspective.