The physiology of world‐class sprint skiers

Abstract

The present study investigated the physiological characteristics of eight world-class (WC) and eight national-class (NC) Norwegian sprint cross country skiers. To measure the physiological response and treadmill performance, the skiers performed a submaximal test, a peak aerobic capacity (VO2peak) test, and a peak treadmill speed (V(peak)) test in the skating G3 technique. Moreover, the skiers were tested for G3 acceleration outdoors on asphalt and maximal strength in the lab. The standard of sprint skating performance level on snow was determined by International Ski Federation points, and the training distribution was quantified. WC skiers showed 8% higher VO2peak and twice as long a VO(2) plateau time at the VO2peak test, and a higher gross efficiency at the submaximal test (all P<0.05). Furthermore, WC skiers showed 8% higher V(peak) (P<0.05), but did not differ from NC skiers in acceleration and maximal strength. WC skiers performed more low- and moderate-intensity endurance training and speed training (both P<0.05). The current results show that aerobic capacity, efficiency, and high speed capacity differentiate WC and NC sprint skiers and it is suggested that these variables determine sprint skiing performance.

From Heart-Rate Data to Training Quantification: A Comparison of 3 Methods of Training-Intensity Analysis

“…However, quantifying training dose remains an area of some confusion. Focusing on endurance athletes, training dose can be measured in terms of external work executed (distance, power, velocity) [1][2] , or internal physiological responses elicited by that work (heart rate, blood lactate, VO 2 ) [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] . Training dose can also be measured by how the stimulus was perceived (session RPE) 12,[14][15][16][17][18] .…”

“…Most high-level endurance athletes maintain a training diary where they report their training. In reality, some combination of all three of these basic descriptions of the training dose is usually reflected in athlete self-report [1][2][3][6][7][8][10][11][12]19,20 . Three basic approaches are described in the literature for quantifying endurance training sessions based on the heart rate (HR) response.…”

Effects of High-Intensity Training on Physiological and Hormonal Adaptions in Well-Trained Cyclists

“…In endurance sports, these include the duration and intensity of individual training sessions, the frequency of training sessions, and the organizational pattern of these stimulus variables over time. Recent descriptive studies of some of the world_s best endurance athletes have shown that successful athletes in cycling (14,25,35), running (1,2), and cross-country skiing (21,22,33) perform a high volume of low-intensity training (LIT) (defined as work eliciting a stable blood lactate concentration [la j ] of less than approximately 2 mmolIL j1 ) in addition to much smaller but substantial proportions of both moderate-intensity training (MIT) (2-4 mmolIL j1 blood lactate) and high-intensity training (HIT) (training above maximum lactate steady-state intensity [94 mmolIL j1 blood lactate]) throughout the preparation period. The majority of descriptive studies present a ''pyramidal'' training intensity distribution (TID), with high volume of LIT, substantial MIT, and less HIT, whereas a few studies suggest athletes to adopt a ''polarized'' TID (reduced volume of MIT, somewhat higher HIT), which have been proposed to give superior endurance adaptations (27,29).…”

Roller-Ski Aerobic High-Intensity Interval Training Improves the VO2max and Anaerobic Power in Cross-Country Skiers

“…This finding corroborate that of Sharp et al [1986] [25], who reported that high-intensity sprint training has significant influences in anaerobic energy production and power production. To understand the importance of the aerobic and anaerobic capacity in sprint skiing is still need more research [9].…”

“…Traditional cross-country skiers have shown some of the highest VO2max in endurance athletes [2,9]. In the last decade, starting with introduction of the skating technique, a number of changes have been introduced into cross-country (XC) skiing.…”