Physiological profiles and training loads of international level male and female cross-country skiers and biathletes

Myakinchenko, E. B.; Heil, Daniel P.; Kriuchkov, Andrey S.; Feofilaktov, V.V.; Kuzmichev, V.A.; Adodin, Nikita V

doi:10.1016/j.scispo.2021.09.004

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…However, contrary to the world's most successful female XC skier, whose most successful seasons coincided with the highest annual training volumes ( 5 ), the participant in this study reduced her volumes of both physical and shooting training during her seasons of peak performance. In line with this, the annual volumes of ∼650–750 h·season −1 physical training during these seasons are within the lower range of the training volumes (∼700–900 h·season −1 ) previously reported in world- or national-class biathletes ( 1 , 4 , 27 , 28 ). The participant mentioned during interviews that the reductions in training volume were due to increased emphasis on improving the quality of each single training session and that this was particularly important to further develop her shooting skills.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Furthermore, the participant's physical training volumes were ∼30% lower than the ∼900 annual training volumes reported for female world-class XC skiers ( 5 , 14 ). Similar differences have previously been observed between national team XC skiers and biathletes ( 27 , 28 ) and are likely explained by the additional demands for shooting-specific training in biathlon ( 1 ). Furthermore, the participant performed ∼20% higher annual training volumes in the skating style but less strength training (31 vs. ∼50–90 h·season −1 ) than previously reported in world-class XC skiers ( 2 , 5 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

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Long-term development of performance, physiological, and training characteristics in a world-class female biathlete

Solli,

Flom,

Talsnes

2023

Front. Sports Act. Living

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PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the long-term development of performance, physiological, and training characteristics in a world-class female biathlete, with emphasis on differences between junior and senior athlete seasons.MethodsThe participant is a highly decorated female biathlete with 22 (10 gold) medals from international championships and 28 individual World Cup wins. Performance development (ages 17–33), physiological tests (ages 22–33), and day-to-day physical and shooting training (ages 17–33) were analyzed. Training data were systemized by endurance [low-intensity training (LIT), moderate-intensity training (MIT), and high-intensity training (HIT)], exercise mode, and strength training. Shooting training recorded for each session included the number of shots fired during rest, LIT, MIT, HIT, or competitions and time spent on dry fire training.ResultsThe annual volume of physical training (409–792 h·season−1) and number of shots fired (1,163–17,328 shots·season−1) increased from the age of 17 to 28 followed by a subsequent reduction in physical training (range 657–763 h·season−1) and shots fired (13,275–15,355 shots·season−1) during the seasons of peak performance at ages 31–33. Maximal oxygen uptake in roller ski skating increased by 10% (62.9–69.2 ml·kg−1·min−1) from the age of 22 to 27. The physical training volume was 48% higher (694 ± 60 vs. 468 ± 23 h·season−1, P = .030), with 175% more shots fired (14,537 ± 1,109 vs. 5,295 ± 3,425 shots·season−1, P = .016) as a senior athlete than a junior athlete. In the physical training, these differences were mainly explained by higher volumes of LIT (602 ± 56 vs. 392 ± 22 h·season−1, P = .032) and MIT (34 ± 1 vs. 7 ± 2 h·season−1, P = .001) but less HIT (27 ± 1 vs. 42 ± 3 h·season−1, P = .006) as a senior than a junior. In line with this, shooting training as a senior included more shots fired both at rest (5,035 ± 321 vs. 1,197 ± 518 shots·season−1, P = .011) and during LIT (7,440 ± 619 vs. 2,663 ± 1,975 shots·season−1, P = .031), while a smaller insignificant difference was observed in the number of shots fired in connection with MIT, HIT, and competitions (2,061 ± 174 vs. 1,435 ± 893 shots·season−1, P = .149).ConclusionsThis study provides unique insights into the long-term development of physical and shooting training from junior to senior in a world-class female biathlete. The major differences in training characteristics between junior and senior athlete seasons were higher sport-specific volumes of LIT and MIT and less HIT. These differences were accompanied by more shooting training, particularly at rest, and in connection with LIT.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Long-term development of performance, physiological, and training characteristics in a world-class female biathlete

Solli,

Flom,

Talsnes

2023

Front. Sports Act. Living

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“…Since linear increase in the training volume seems to be a factor for further success in skiing sports, and both performance groups are part of the same school system, with the same opportunity to train equally for the majority of the time, the result of this study should be of interest to USS from a supportive perspective, as well as to coaches. The annual training volume reported by the NTB is similar to other studies examining the training characteristics of international-level biathletes [ 5 , 8 , 29 ].The distribution of ~ 90% LIT is similar to that of international senior-level athletes in XC-skiing and biathlon [ 1 , 8 ]. Notably both the age and level of performance are considered greater in those papers [ 30 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

School’s out for summer–Differences in training characteristics between adolescent biathletes of different performance levels

Kårström,

Laaksonen,

Björklund

2023

PLoS ONE

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The purpose of this study was to retrospectively describe the longitudinal changes of training variables in adolescent biathletes based on performance level. Thirty biathletes (15 men and 15 women) were included in the study and categorized as either national level biathletes (NLB, n = 21) or national team biathletes (NTB, n = 9). Retrospective training data was collected from training diary covering the biathletes’ four years (Y1-Y4) as student-athletes at upper secondary school. Training data was divided into physical and shooting training variables. A linear mixed-effect model was used for comparing the difference of the performance group and year of upper secondary school on training characteristics. The NTB group achieved a greater annual training volume than the NLB group, especially during Y4 (594±71 h·y-1 vs 461±127 h·y-1, p < 0.001), through an increase in duration of each session and by completing more weekly training volume during the general phase (13.7±4.6 vs 10.0±4.9 h·w-1, p = 0.004). No difference was observed in relative training intensity distribution between the groups. The total number of shots fired was also greater for the NTB (9971±4716 vs 7355±2812 shots·y-1, p = 0.003). There was an equal frequency in illness and injury for both the NLB and NTB. Accordingly, the results of the present study describe longitudinal changes of biathlon training in adolescent biathletes that also may affect performance development.

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“…[2][3][4] The inclusion of shooting practice within the training program of biathletes appears to reduce endurance training volume by ~19-30% when compared to world-class XC skiers. [5][6][7] Studies about the periodisation pattern in elite XC skiers and biathletes have reported a high volume of LIT during the preparatory phases, followed by a reduction in LIT volume, an increase in HIT volume, and a greater proportion of ski training prior to, and during, the competition phase. 2,8,9 However, despite the popularity of these winter endurance sports, only a handful of studies have specifically reported the longer-term (i.e., annual) training characteristics of female XC skiers and/or biathletes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2,8,9 However, despite the popularity of these winter endurance sports, only a handful of studies have specifically reported the longer-term (i.e., annual) training characteristics of female XC skiers and/or biathletes. Apart from a recent study by Myakinchenko et al 6 , the majority of previous research has examined small samples (i.e., n ≤ 12) 2,5,10,11 or case studies. 9 As such, there is a clear need for additional research describing the annual training characteristics of female XC skiers and biathletes, using a larger and more robust sample.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Annual Volume and Distribution of Physical Training in Norwegian Female Cross-Country Skiers and Biathletes: A Comparison Between Sports, Competition Levels, and Age Categories—The FENDURA Project

Osborne,

Solli,

Engseth

et al. 2024

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

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Purpose: To describe and compare the annual physical training characteristics between Norwegian female cross-country (XC) skiers and biathletes across competition levels and age categories. Methods: Daily training sessions for 1 year were recorded for 45 XC skiers and 26 biathletes, comprising international/national team (inter[national]) and nonnational/regional team members (nonnational) of both junior and senior age. Endurance, strength, flexibility, speed, and power training sessions were recorded. Data included exercise modality, intensity, and duration. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Results: The total annual physical training volume consisted of ∼90% endurance training for both groups, although XC skiers had significantly higher total volumes (∼10%; P = .003; d = 0.78) than biathletes. Senior XC skiers performed more training hours of skiing and/or roller skiing compared with biathletes over the season. However, biathletes compensated for this lower volume by more skating and a higher proportion of endurance training as skiing (81% [17%]) compared with XC skiers (68% [16%]; P < .001; d = 0.94). Overall, (inter)national-level athletes completed a higher annual training volume than non-national-level athletes (740 [90] h vs 649 [95] h; P = .004;d = 0.81). Although juniors reported less endurance volume than seniors, they maintained a relatively stable level of endurance training across the preparatory and competition period, unlike senior athletes. Conclusions: The higher annual physical training volume by XC skiers compared with biathletes is likely caused by the different demands of the 2 sports; XC skiing necessitates training for 2 skiing styles, while biathlon requires additional shooting practice. However, biathletes compensate with a higher proportion of ski training, particularly in the skating technique.

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Physiological profiles and training loads of international level male and female cross-country skiers and biathletes

Cited by 4 publications

References 15 publications

Long-term development of performance, physiological, and training characteristics in a world-class female biathlete

Long-term development of performance, physiological, and training characteristics in a world-class female biathlete

School’s out for summer–Differences in training characteristics between adolescent biathletes of different performance levels

Annual Volume and Distribution of Physical Training in Norwegian Female Cross-Country Skiers and Biathletes: A Comparison Between Sports, Competition Levels, and Age Categories—The FENDURA Project

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