| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to provide a more detailed analysis of performance in cross-country skiing by combining findings from a differential global positioning system (dGPS), metabolic gas measurements, speed in different sections of a ski-course and treadmill threshold data. Ten male skiers participated in a freestyle skiing field test (5.6?km), which was performed with dGPS and metabolic gas measurements. A treadmill running threshold test was also performed and the following parameters were derived: anaerobic threshold, threshold of decompensated metabolic acidosis, respiratory exchange ratio = 1, onset of blood lactate accumulation and peak oxygen uptake (Vdot]O2peak). The combined dGPS and metabolic gas measurements made detailed analysis of performance possible. The strongest correlations between the treadmill data and final skiing field test time were for Vdot]O2peak (l?·?min?1), respiratory exchange ratio = 1 (l?·?min?1) and onset of blood lactate accumulation (l?·?min?1) (r = ?0.644 to ??0.750). However, all treadmill test data displayed stronger associations with speed in different stretches of the course than with final time, which stresses the value of a detailed analysis of performance in cross-country skiing. Mean oxygen uptake (Vdot]O2) in a particular stretch in relation to speed in the same stretch displayed its strongest correlation coefficients in most stretches when Vdot]O2 was presented in units litres per minute, rather than when Vdot]O2 was normalized to body mass (ml?·?kg?1?·?min?1 and ml?·?min?1?·?kg?2/3). This suggests that heavy cross-country skiers have an advantage over their lighter counterparts. In one steep uphill stretch, however, Vdot]O2 (ml?·?min?1?·?kg?2/3) displayed the strongest association with speed, suggesting that in steep uphill sections light skiers could have an advantage over heavier skiers. |
