Comprehensive analysis of performance, physiological, and perceptual responses during an entire sprint cross-country skiing competition

“V, Amstelveen, Netherlands) while the 6–20 Borg scale (Borg 1970) was used to determine RPE.”

“Although [La-] does not represent a valid physiological measure of either anaerobic energy contribution, muscle fatigue or recovery (Allen et al. 2008), the ability to clear and (re)produce [La-] is associated with such mechanisms.”

“The rate of [La-] clearance has previously been associated with the ability to sustain performance in sprint XC skiing(Losnegard et al. 2015) and suggested it to be a feature separating skiers of different performance levels (Björklund et al. 2011; Sandbakk et al. 2011a, b).”

“The rate of [La-] clearance has previously been associated with the ability to sustain performance in sprint XC skiing(Losnegard et al. 2015) and suggested it to be a feature separating skiers of different performance levels (Björklund et al. 2011; Sandbakk et al. 2011a, b).”

“…align with previous research, which has indicated that heats are performed at either higher (Andersson et al. 2019), lower (Haugnes et al. 2022; Stöggl et al. 2007), or the same speeds (Mikkola et al. 2010; Vesterinen et al. 2009) as compared to TT, depending on various factors such as tactics…”

“…oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ), with an anaerobic energy contribution of approximately 20–25% across three to four repeated efforts in laboratory settings (Losnegard et al. 2012; McGawley and Holm-berg 2014; McGawley et al. 2022; Vesterinen et al. 2009) However, the oxygen demand can be considerably…”

“These supra-maximal intensities lead to oxygen deficits and require the ability to recover in subsequent downhill sections (Losnegard 2019).”

“The methodology used for this adjustment has previously been described by (Sandbakk et al. 2016) and both GNSS sensors used in the study have been validated against a differential GNSS sensor (Gløersen et al. 2018).”

“The methodology used for this adjustment has previously been described by (Sandbakk et al. 2016) and both GNSS sensors used in the study have been validated against a differential GNSS sensor (Gløersen et al. 2018).”

“…in sprint XC skiing can be either higher (Andersson et al. 2019), lower (Haugnes et al. 2022; Stöggl et al. 2007), or the same (Mikkola et al. 2010; Vesterinen et al. 2009) compared to the individual TT, resulting in notable differences in speed profiles and pacing strategies (Haugnes et al. 2022).”

“…four repeated efforts in laboratory settings (Losnegard et al. 2012; McGawley and Holm-berg 2014; McGawley et al. 2022; Vesterinen et al. 2009) However, the oxygen demand can be considerably higher than the skier’s VO 2peak in uphill sections (Andersson et al. 2016, 2017; Sandbakk et al. 2011a, b).”

“…four repeated efforts in laboratory settings (Losnegard et al. 2012; McGawley and Holm-berg 2014; McGawley et al. 2022; Vesterinen et al. 2009) However, the oxygen demand can be considerably higher than the skier’s VO 2peak in uphill sections (Andersson et al. 2016, 2017; Sandbakk et al. 2011a, b).”

“…heats are performed in sprint XC skiing can be either higher (Andersson et al. 2019), lower (Haugnes et al. 2022; Stöggl et al. 2007), or the same (Mikkola et al. 2010; Vesterinen et al. 2009) compared to the individual TT, resulting in notable differences in speed profiles and pacing strategies…”

“Peak [La-] values observed after each effort were on average 9.6 mmol·L −1 and consistent with the values reported in previous studies (Andersson et al. 2019; Losnegard et al. 2015; McGawley et al. 2022; Stöggl et al. 2007; Zory et al. 2006).”

“Peak [La-] values observed after each effort were on average 9.6 mmol·L −1 and consistent with the values reported in previous studies (Andersson et al. 2019; Losnegard et al. 2015; McGawley et al. 2022; Stöggl et al. 2007; Zory et al. 2006).”

“…and thereby faster blood lactate concentration [La-] clearance between repeated efforts are believed to be better at sustaining their performance (Losnegard et al. 2015), and world-class skiers have demonstrated higher [La-] clearance than national-class sprint skiers (Sandbakk et al. 2011a, b).”

“In this context, a “fast-start” or “all-out” pacing strategy appears to be most optimal for improving TT performance (Haugnes et al. 2019; Losnegard et al. 2023).”

“The rate of [La-] clearance has previously been associated with the ability to sustain performance in sprint XC skiing(Losnegard et al. 2015) and suggested it to be a feature separating skiers of different performance levels (Björklund et al. 2011; Sandbakk et al. 2011a, b).”

“Skiing in a pack during heats offers advantages such as reduced air drag and snow friction (Seeberg et al. 2022a, b), as well as potential time gains due to skiers' varying strengths on different sections of the course.”

“Peak [La-] values observed after each effort were on average 9.6 mmol·L −1 and consistent with the values reported in previous studies (Andersson et al. 2019; Losnegard et al. 2015; McGawley et al. 2022; Stöggl et al. 2007; Zory et al. 2006).”

“Therefore, the speeds at which the heats are performed in sprint XC skiing can be either higher (Andersson et al. 2019), lower (Haugnes et al. 2022; Stöggl et al. 2007), or the same (Mikkola et al. 2010; Vesterinen et al. 2009) compared to the individual TT, resulting in notable differences in…”

“…1.5 < 0.001 6.2 ± 5.5 0.5 ± 1.2 0.0 ± 0.1 0.0 ± 0.1 < 0.001 [La − ] clearance (mmol·L −1 ) Na 6.7 ± 2.3 6.7 ± 1.9 4.1 ± 2.1 0.001 a recent study by Losnegard et al. (2023) investigating a comparable group of female junior skiers found that pacing strategy in TT was dependent on the skier’s…”

“…examining macro-kinematic parameters during the rounds of classic sprint competition (Marsland et al., 2021), comparing sex differences in performance and pacing strategies (Andersson et al., 2019) or physiological, and perceptual responses of an entire skating sprint race (Talsnes et al., 2023).”