Dataset Information

The Physiological Capacity of the World's Highest Ranked Female Cross-country Skiers.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The objective of this study is to compare the physiological capacity and training characteristics of the world's six highest ranked female cross-country skiers (world class (WC)) with those of six competitors of national class (NC).

Methods

Immediately before the start of the competition season, all skiers performed three 5-min submaximal stages of roller skiing on a treadmill for measurement of oxygen cost, as well as a 3-min self-paced performance test using both the double poling (DP) and diagonal stride (DIA) techniques. During the 3-min performance tests, the total distance covered, peak oxygen uptake (V?O2peak), and accumulated oxygen deficit were determined. Each skier documented the intensity and mode of their training during the preceding 6 months in a diary.

Results

There were no differences between the groups with respect to oxygen cost or gross efficiency at the submaximal speeds. The WC skiers covered 6%-7% longer distances during the 3-min tests and exhibited average V?O2peak values of ?70 and ?65 mL·min·kg with DIA and DP, respectively, which were 10% and 7% higher than the NC skiers (all P < 0.05). However, the accumulated oxygen deficit did not differ between groups. From May to October, the WC skiers trained a total of 532 ± 73 h (270 ± 26 sessions) versus 411 ± 62 h (240 ± 27 sessions) for the NC skiers. In addition, the WC skiers performed 26% more low-intensity and almost twice as much moderate-intensity endurance and speed training (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of a high oxygen uptake and the ability to use this while performing the different skiing techniques on varying terrains for female cross-country skiers to win international races. In addition, the training data documented here provide benchmark values for female endurance athletes aiming for medals.

SUBMITTER: Sandbakk O

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5642331 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

The Physiological Capacity of the World's Highest Ranked Female Cross-country Skiers.

Sandbakk Øyvind Ø Hegge Ann Magdalen AM Losnegard Thomas T Skattebo Øyvind Ø Tønnessen Espen E Holmberg Hans-Christer HC

Medicine and science in sports and exercise 20160601 6

<h4>Purpose</h4>The objective of this study is to compare the physiological capacity and training characteristics of the world's six highest ranked female cross-country skiers (world class (WC)) with those of six competitors of national class (NC).<h4>Methods</h4>Immediately before the start of the competition season, all skiers performed three 5-min submaximal stages of roller skiing on a treadmill for measurement of oxygen cost, as well as a 3-min self-paced performance test using both the dou ...[more]

PMID: 26741124

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Project description:Endurance performance depends on the integration of several phenotypic traits influenced by multiple environmental and genetic factors. Objectives of the study were: (1) to examine the genotypic frequencies of the ACE I/D, ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms and endurance performance-related phenotypes, (2) to evaluate the dynamics of endurance performance parameters during a 5-year period in relation to ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X genotypes in Estonian young skiers. Determination of VO2peak was performed in 58 skiers aged 15-19 years (41 males, 17 females) during a 5-year period. The control group consisted of 322 healthy non-athletic subjects (145 males, 177 females). The study groups were genotyped for the ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X variants. Frequencies of the ACE ID and ACTN3 RR genotypes were significantly higher (p = 0.047 and p = 0.003, respectively) and the RX genotype was lower (p = 0.008) in young male skiers compared with controls. A significant relationship was found between change (?) of training volume and ?VO2peak (mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) (r = 0.475, p = 0.002). No significant main effect was detected between VO2peak (mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) dynamics (comparison with the previous age group data) and ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X genotypes interactions (F = 0.571, p = 0.770 and F = 0.650 and p = 0.705, respectively) in all young skiers. Study results indicated a significantly higher frequency of the ACE ID and ACTN3 RR genotypes among Estonian young male skiers compared with the male control group. Significant genotype-related differences in dynamics of VO2peak during a 5-year period were not found. In the future, longitudinal research including different gene variants may contribute to a better understanding of the nature of endurance performance. Key pointsSignificantly higher prevalence of the ACE ID and the ACTN3 RR genotypes were found among Estonian young male skiers compared with the male control group, which may be an advantage for the explosive speed and power capacity in race skiing.A more remarkable trend of increase in VO2peak (mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) during the 5-year period was observed among male skiers with the ACTN3 XX genotype and among female skiers with the ACE ID genotype.No significant genotype-related associations in the dynamics of VO2peak were found during the 5-year period.

Dataset Information

The Physiological Capacity of the World's Highest Ranked Female Cross-country Skiers.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

The Physiological Capacity of the World's Highest Ranked Female Cross-country Skiers.

Similar Datasets

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