Sex differences in speed and sub-technique selection in elite sprint cross-country skiers: a time-trial qualification...

This study investigated sex differences in speed, sub-technique selection and cycle characteristics during a sprint cross-country skiing time-trial qualification in the classical style.

Thirty elite- to world-class cross-country skiers (15 women, 15 men; mean International Ski Federation [FIS] sprint points ∼58 in both groups) performed an FIS-regulated on-snow classical sprint competition. The initial 1.3-km time-trial qualification (prologue) was analyzed using a combined global navigation satellite system and inertial measurement unit to determine speed, sub-technique selection, and cycle characteristics.

The men were ∼14% faster than the women (mean speed: 8.26 vs. 7.23 m·s^-1, P < 0.001). The sex difference in speed was greatest in the uphill sections (19%-20% difference) and smallest in the downhill sections (6%-9%), with comparable differences in flat terrain (∼13%-14%). The men spent larger portion of the time trial using double poling than the women (∼61% vs. ∼53% of total time, P < 0.001), whereas women used diagonal stride more than men (∼23% vs. ∼16% of total time, P < 0.001). Cycle analysis revealed that the men had 9%-11% longer cycle lengths than the women in both diagonal stride and double poling (both P < 0.05), while cycle rates were generally similar between sexes.

Elite male cross-country skiers were ∼14% faster than performance-matched female skiers during a sprint time-trial qualification with equal distance. The most notable difference appeared on uphill terrain, where men relied more heavily on double poling and achieved longer cycle lengths across all sub-techniques. Consequently, female and male skiers face distinct sport-specific demands when competing over equal distances.