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Differences in pacing pattern and sub‐technique selection between young and adult competitive cross‐country skiers
Author(s) -
Sollie Ove,
Gløersen Øyvind,
Gilgien Matthias,
Losnegard Thomas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.13887
Subject(s) - significant difference , kilometer , mathematics , physics , alpine skiing , zoology , statistics , medicine , biology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , astronomy
The present study describes differences in pacing patterns and sub‐technique selection in young compared to adult competitive cross‐country skiers. Eleven young male skiers (YOS) (14.4 ± 0.5 years, V ˙ O 2peak 63.9 ± 2.8 mL∙kg ‐1 ∙min ‐1 ) and eight adult male skiers (ADS) (22.6 ± 4.3 years, V ˙ O 2peak 77.4 ± 4.4 mL∙kg ‐1 ∙min ‐1 ) performed a free technique rollerski time trial (TT) over a distance of 4.3 km (YOS) and 13.1 km (ADS) to simulate normal racing distances. A GNSS/IMU system was used to track position, speed, and classify sub‐techniques. Skiing economy and V ˙ O 2peak were measured on an additional day to calculate the relative oxygen demand ( V ˙ O 2dem ) in 13 segments of the TT. YOS were slower than ADS in all types of terrain (mean speed difference of 13%), with differences for uphills of 19%, undulating terrain of 11% and downhills of 8% (all P < .05). The mean relative V ˙ O 2dem tended to be higher for YOS compared to ADS (120% vs 112% of V ˙ O 2peak , P = .09), and the difference was more pronounced in the initial four segments of the race (130% vs 110% of V ˙ O 2peak , P < .01). YOS used more of the sub‐technique Gear 2 (23 ± 7 vs 14 ± 4%), less Gear 3 (36 ± 7 vs 45 ± 5%), and had more frequent transitions between sub‐techniques (18 ± 2 vs 15 ± 3 km ‐1 ) (all P < .05) than ADS. Over an age‐related distance, young skiers tend to exhibit higher mean exercise intensity than adult elite skiers, with a more pronounced positive pacing pattern. Differences in physical ability affect speed and sub‐technique selections, implying a need for differentiating technical training for different ages and levels.