Differences in pacing pattern and sub‐technique selection between young and adult competitive cross‐country skiers

Abstract

The present study describes differences in pacing patterns and sub‐technique selection in young compared to adult competitive cross‐country skiers. Eleven young male skiers (YOS) (14.4 ± 0.5 years, trueV˙O2peak 63.9 ± 2.8 mL∙kg‐1∙min‐1) and eight adult male skiers (ADS) (22.6 ± 4.3 years, trueV˙O2peak 77.4 ± 4.4 mL∙kg‐1∙min‐1) performed a free technique rollerski time trial (TT) over a distance of 4.3 km (YOS) and 13.1 km (ADS) to simulate normal racing distances. A GNSS/IMU system was used to track position, speed, and classify sub‐techniques. Skiing economy and trueV˙O2peak were measured on an additional day to calculate the relative oxygen demand (trueV˙O2dem) in 13 segments of the TT. YOS were slower than ADS in all types of terrain (mean speed difference of 13%), with differences for uphills of 19%, undulating terrain of 11% and downhills of 8% (all P < .05). The mean relative trueV˙O2dem tended to be higher for YOS compared to ADS (120% vs 112% of trueV˙O2peak, P = .09), and the difference was more pronounced in the initial four segments of the race (130% vs 110% of trueV˙O2peak, P < .01). YOS used more of the sub‐technique Gear 2 (23 ± 7 vs 14 ± 4%), less Gear 3 (36 ± 7 vs 45 ± 5%), and had more frequent transitions between sub‐techniques (18 ± 2 vs 15 ± 3 km‐1) (all P < .05) than ADS. Over an age‐related distance, young skiers tend to exhibit higher mean exercise intensity than adult elite skiers, with a more pronounced positive pacing pattern. Differences in physical ability affect speed and sub‐technique selections, implying a need for differentiating technical training for different ages and levels.

Temporal and kinematic patterns distinguishing the G2 from the G4 skating sub-technique

“…Poling time, pole swing time and angle between skis and ski push time were different for the two sub-techniques on the same slope-speed condition (G2 vs G4 8% 10 km•h −1 ) and for the different slope-speeds combinations in G2 (8% 10 km•h −1 vs 12% 7 km•h −1 ) and G4 (8% 10 km•h −1 vs 2% 21 km•h −1 ). As these parameters differ both between sub-techniques and between speed/slope for a given sub-technique, it can be speculated that these parameters are main drivers with respect to preferred choice of sub-technique between G2 and G4 for a given slope and speed (Sollie et al, 2021). Nevertheless, as athletes normally use G3 between G2 and G4, the 8% slope and 10 km•h −1 speed may be more appropriate for the G3 sub-technique.…”

Anthropometrical and Physiological Determinants of Laboratory and on-Snow Performance in Competitive Adolescent Cross-Country Skiers

“…Cross country (XC) skiing is a demanding and complex whole-body endurance sport that consists of races performed on undulating terrain with highly varying exercise intensity and complex interactions in energy system contributions ( Gløersen et al, 2020 ; Sollie et al, 2020 ). Physiological determinants including peak oxygen uptake (V̇O 2peak ) ( Sandbakk et al, 2011 ; Losnegard et al, 2013 ; Sandbakk et al, 2016 ), the ability to efficiently transform metabolic energy into speed (e.g., gross efficiency (GE)) ( Losnegard et al, 2013 ) , ( Sandbakk et al, 2010 ) and the ability to repeatedly perform, and recover from, efforts above the V̇O 2peak ( Gløersen et al, 2020 ; Sollie et al, 2020 ) are all important for XC skiing performance. Depending on the race length, sub-technique used and the technical ability of the skiers, a certain level of strength also seems necessary to optimize performance ( Losnegard et al, 2019a ).…”

Framework for In-Field Analyses of Performance and Sub-Technique Selection in Standing Para Cross-Country Skiers

“…In classical AB XC skiing, it has been suggested that there are speed [ 6 , 17 , 18 ] and incline [ 11 , 12 , 16 ] thresholds for the use of the sub-techniques. Additionally, the skiers’ physical capacity will influence the speed and choice of sub-technique [ 19 , 20 ]. In this context, the ability to use the different sub-techniques may additionally be dependent on functional limitations related to the individual disability among standing Para XC skiers.…”