The Training Characteristics of World-Class Male Long-Distance Cross-Country Skiers

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the training characteristics of world-class long-distance cross-country skiers.Methods: Twelve world-class male long-distance cross-country skiing specialists reported training from their best season, through a questionnaire and follow-up interviews. Training data were systemized by training form (endurance, strength, and speed), intensity [low- (LIT), moderate- (MIT), and high-intensity training (HIT)], and exercise mode, followed by a division into different periodization phases. Specific sessions utilized in the various periodization phases were also analyzed.Results: The annual training volume was 861 ± 90 h, consisting of 795 ± 88 h (92%) of endurance training, 53 ± 17 h (6%) of strength training, and 13 ± 14 h (2%) of speed training. A pyramidal (asymptotic) endurance training distribution was employed (i.e., 88.7% LIT, 6.4% MIT, and 4.8% HIT). Out of this, 50–60% of the endurance training was performed with double poling (DP), typically in the form of a daily 3- to 5-h session. A relatively evenly distributed week-to-week periodization of training load was commonly used in the general preparation period, whereas skiers varied between high-load training weeks and competition weeks, with half the training volume and a reduced amount of DP during the competition period.Conclusions: To match the specific demands of long-distance cross-country skiing, specialized long-distance skiers perform relatively long but few training sessions and use a pyramidal intensity distribution pattern and a large amount of training spent using the DP technique.

A Comparison of Double Poling Physiology and Kinematics Between Long-Distance and All-Round Cross-Country Skiers

“…As expected from their large amounts of DP-specific training (Torvik et al, 2021 ), LDS reached higher DP-V peak in comparison with ARS during the incremental test to exhaustion with no between-group differences observed in RUN-V peak . Better DP performance in LDS was coincided by higher DP-VO 2peak , DP-VO 2peak /RUN-VO 2max ratios (i.e., 97% in LDS vs. 94% in ARS), as well as with higher GE during submaximal DP.…”

“…To adapt to these competitive demands, specialized long-distance XC skiers (LDSs) perform a higher percentage of their total training volume using DP than ARS (~50 vs. ~25%) (Torvik et al, 2021 ). Due to the higher volumes of DP training among LDS, superior technique-specific physiological adaptations and greater upper-body strength and power may be expected in comparison with typical ARS.…”

The Relationship Between the Distribution of Training Intensity and Performance of Kayak and Canoe Sprinters: A Retrospective Observational Analysis of One Season of Competition

“…The present observation that the training intensity of our group of athletes was pyramidal in structure throughout the entire season is in accordance with other reports on the large amounts of time spent in Z1 by rowers (Steinacker et al, 1998 ; Guellich et al, 2009 ; Nybo et al, 2014 ; Plews et al, 2014 ; Treff et al, 2017 ), cyclists (Lucía et al, 2000 ; Schumacher and Mueller, 2002 ; Zapico et al, 2007 ; Neal et al, 2011 ), triathlon athletes (Neal et al, 2013 ), cross-country skiers (Torvik et al, 2021 ) and runners (Esteve-Lanao et al, 2005 ). One explanation for this finding is that low-intensity training is needed to counteract potential negative effects (e.g., autonomic and hormonal stress, energy depletion) of training at intensities at or above threshold intensity (Bourgois et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Most retrospective analyses of the TID of athletes engaged in various endurance sports, such as rowing (Hartmann et al, 1990 ; Guellich et al, 2009 ; Plews et al, 2014 ), cycling (Lucía et al, 2000 ; Schumacher and Mueller, 2002 ; Zapico et al, 2007 ; Neal et al, 2011 ), swimming (Mujika et al, 1995 ; Baldassarre et al, 2019 ), running (Esteve-Lanao et al, 2005 ), triathlon (Neal et al, 2013 ) and cross-country skiing (Torvik et al, 2021 ), have revealed a pyramidal structure, with > 70% of the training being performed in Z1. However, some retrospective analyses do report utilization of a polarized TID by successful cross-country skiers (Seiler and Kjerland, 2006 ; Sandbakk et al, 2011 ; Tønnessen et al, 2014 ; Schmitt et al, 2020 ), runners (Billat et al, 2001 ) and rowers (Bourgois et al, 2014 ).…”

“…Interestingly, almost all investigations of TID to date have involved individual sports where the leg muscles produce most of the propulsion (e.g., cycling and running) (Lucía et al, 2000 ; Schumacher and Mueller, 2002 ; Billat et al, 2003 ; Zapico et al, 2007 ). There are relatively few reports of this nature about sports where both the arms and legs are directly involved in producing propulsion (e.g., cross-country skiing, rowing, swimming, and triathlon) (Hartmann et al, 1990 ; Mujika et al, 1995 ; Neal et al, 2011 ; Plews et al, 2014 ; Baldassarre et al, 2019 ; Torvik et al, 2021 ).…”