title: Skiing economy and efficiency in recreational and elite cross-country skiers.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Swedish Winter Sports Research Center, Department of Engineering and Sustainable Development, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden. mats.ainegren@miun.se
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ainegren
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carlsson
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tinnsten
authors.forename: Marko S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Laaksonen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012865:Skiing / Q000502:physiology*; D013147:Spirometry; D055815:Young Adult