Applied Physiology of Cross-Country Skiing

Abstract

Cross-country ski racing has evolved rapidly in recent years. Of particular interest has been the development and proliferation of the faster freestyle or skating techniques. In spite of changes in technique and equipment, the fact that elite cross-country ski racers have some of the highest aerobic power values reported for endurance athletes has not changed. Successful ski racers have higher percentages of slow twitch muscle fibres and higher anaerobic thresholds, but lower anaerobic power scores than Alpine skiers. Cross-country skiers are also lean, as are distance runners. The absolute bodyweight of the ski racer, however, is much more variable than that of distance runners. Since light skiers will have an advantage on steep uphill courses and heavier skiers will be favoured by level, downhill, and less steep uphill courses, the variability of courses available in international competition explains why successful skiers are so variable with respect to bodyweight. The physiological characteristics of the elite skier are a result of both genetics and adaptation to rigorous multiyear, year-round training programmes. Identification of systematic procedures for specifically challenging the physiological parameters which are requisite for ski racing are being examined. Investigation of ventilatory and lactate thresholds as well as heart rate as parameters for quantifying training intensity is of particular interest at this time.

Combined metabolic gas analyser and dGPS analysis of performance in cross-country skiing

“…On a mean of 16.6 ( +10.0) days before the treadmill test, a freestyle skiing (Eisenman, Johnson, Bainbridge, & Zupan, 1989) field test was performed. The field tests were conducted mid-season on three consecutive days.…”

Physiological aspects of competitive cross‐country skiing

“…Thus, it is reasonable to expect that a skier's maximum sprint velocity for the diagonal stride technique would be less than that for skating. This has yet to be examined in a controlled study, although Eisenman et al (1989) have noted that maximal sprint velocities for the diagonal stride technique are 5-6 m s~1 but approach 10 m s~i for skating techniques. Peak poling forces have been reported to be about 10-20% body mass with the diagonal stride technique (Pierce et al, 1987).…”

“…A number of publications describe training programmes for cross-country skiers (Bergh, 1982;Caldwell, 1987;Eisenman et al, 1989;Endestad and Teaford, 1987;Garfield, 1980;Gillette and Dostal, 1988;Hixson, 1980;Niinimaa, 1988;Sharkey, 1984;Sheahan, 1988). However, a relatively limited number of scientific investigations have actually been directed specifically towards the training of cross-country skiers (Rahkila and Rusko, 1982;Rusko, 1987;Rusko and Bosco, 1987;Rahkila, 1981, 1983).…”

Grade Influences Blood Lactate Kinetics During Cross-Country Skiing

“…For runners or cyclists, velocity may be a good measure of intensity, but for skiers, frequently varying environmental conditions (e.g., snow consistency, course elevation profile) do not allow accurate measurement of exercise intensity by pace (6). Thus, HR-based training zones have become a very important method of intensity control in Nordic skiing.…”