Anthropometric, Physiological, and Performance Developments in Cross-country Skiers.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Cross-country skiing demands high levels of aerobic and anaerobic fitness.
• Developmental athletes require specific physiological and anthropometric monitoring for performance optimization.
• Understanding predictors of competitive success is crucial for targeted training interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To track changes in anthropometric, physiological, and training variables in national development skiers over 25 months.
• To determine if these changes predict competitive performance outcomes.
• To identify differences in these changes and predictions between male and female skiers.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of data from 30 national development cross-country skiers (14 women, 16 men) over 25 months.
• Assessment of body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) and physiological characteristics (incremental roller-ski treadmill tests).
• Analysis of training volumes and intensity distribution from training diaries; competitive performance measured by International Ski Federation (FIS) points.

Main Results:

• Whole- and upper-body lean mass increased in all skiers. Women showed significant improvements in lower-body lean mass, fat mass, and key aerobic capacity indicators (e.g., V˙O2 at specific blood lactate concentrations).
• Predictive models for competitive performance were valid for female skiers' distance events, with body mass, fat mass, lean mass, peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak), and speed at 4 mmol·L-1 blood lactate concentration being key variables.
• No valid predictive models for competitive performance were identified for male skiers in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Competitive performance in elite female development skiers can be predicted by changes in body composition and aerobic capacity.
• Improvements in these physiological markers appear more impactful for female skiers' competitive success compared to their male counterparts.
• Findings offer valuable insights for athlete selection and the design of individualized performance development programs in cross-country skiing.