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Pacing, Exercise Intensity, and Technique by Performance Level in Long-Distance Cross-Country Skiing.
Thomas L Stöggl1,2, Markus Hertlein1, Richard Brunauer3
1Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
Frontiers in Physiology
|March 3, 2020
Summary
Elite and amateur cross-country skiers maintain similar race intensity but differ in speed and pacing. Amateurs tend to start too fast, while elites exhibit more even pacing strategies.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Cross-Country Skiing Performance Analysis
Background:
- Long-distance cross-country skiing (XCS) popularity is rising, yet research remains limited.
- Understanding performance factors in XCS is crucial for training and competition strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze intensity distribution, technique use, and pacing in long-distance XCS racing.
- To compare elite and amateur skiers' physiological and technical approaches.
Main Methods:
- Collected heart rate (HR) and section speeds from elite and amateur skiers during a 90-km race.
- Video-analyzed skiing techniques (e.g., double poling) of top-ranked participants.
Main Results:
- Mean race intensity was comparable (82% maximal HR) between groups; elites were ~15% faster.
- Elite skiers displayed more even pacing, while amateurs showed greater HR decrease per kilometer.
- Exclusive double poling was used by 98% of top 100 and 59% of top 1,000 skiers.
Conclusions:
- Elite skiers possess superior physiological capacity, evidenced by even pacing and higher intensity zone utilization.
- Amateur skiers may adopt suboptimal pacing strategies, starting too aggressively.
- Double poling technique is prevalent across a wide range of top XCS competitors, not just elites.
