Skiing economy and efficiency in recreational and elite cross-country skiers

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research Vol. 27; no. 5; p. 1239
• Main Authors: Ainegren, Mats, Carlsson, Peter, Tinnsten, Mats, Laaksonen, Marko S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2013
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Athletic Performance - physiology; Energy Metabolism - physiology; Exercise Test - methods; Female; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Oxygen Consumption; Physical Endurance - physiology; Sex Factors; Skiing - physiology; Spirometry; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31824f206c

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare skiing economy and gross efficiency in cross-country skiers of different performance levels, ages and genders; male recreational skiers and elite senior and junior cross-country skiers of both genders. The skiers performed tests involving roller skiing on a treadmill using the gear 3 and diagonal stride techniques. The elite cross-country skiers were found to have better skiing economy and higher gross efficiency (5-18%) compared with the recreational skiers (p < 0.05) and the senior elite had better economy and higher efficiency (4-5%) than their junior counterparts (p < 0.05), whereas no differences could be found between the genders. Also, large ranges in economy and gross efficiency were found in all groups. It was concluded that, in addition to V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak, skiing economy and gross efficiency have a great influence on the differences in performance times between recreational and junior and senior elite cross-country skiers, as well as between individual skiers within the different categories. Thus, we recommend cross-country skiers at all performance levels to test not only V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak, but also skiing economy and efficiency.