title: The Physiological Capacity of the World's Highest Ranked Female Cross-country Skiers.
abstract: The objective of this study is to compare the physiological capacity and training characteristics of the world's six highest ranked female cross-country skiers (world class (WC)) with those of six competitors of national class (NC).
  
  
  
  Immediately before the start of the competition season, all skiers performed three 5-min submaximal stages of roller skiing on a treadmill for measurement of oxygen cost, as well as a 3-min self-paced performance test using both the double poling (DP) and diagonal stride (DIA) techniques. During the 3-min performance tests, the total distance covered, peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak), and accumulated oxygen deficit were determined. Each skier documented the intensity and mode of their training during the preceding 6 months in a diary.
  
  
  
  There were no differences between the groups with respect to oxygen cost or gross efficiency at the submaximal speeds. The WC skiers covered 6%-7% longer distances during the 3-min tests and exhibited average V˙O2peak values of ∼70 and ∼65 mL·min·kg with DIA and DP, respectively, which were 10% and 7% higher than the NC skiers (all P < 0.05). However, the accumulated oxygen deficit did not differ between groups. From May to October, the WC skiers trained a total of 532 ± 73 h (270 ± 26 sessions) versus 411 ± 62 h (240 ± 27 sessions) for the NC skiers. In addition, the WC skiers performed 26% more low-intensity and almost twice as much moderate-intensity endurance and speed training (all P < 0.05).
  
  
  
  This study highlights the importance of a high oxygen uptake and the ability to use this while performing the different skiing techniques on varying terrains for female cross-country skiers to win international races. In addition, the training data documented here provide benchmark values for female endurance athletes aiming for medals.
authors.affiliation: 1Centre for Elite Sports Research, Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, NORWAY; 2Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Oslo, NORWAY; 3The Norwegian Olympic Federation, Oslo, NORWAY; and 4Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, SWEDEN.
authors.forename: Øyvind
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Sandbakk
authors.forename: Ann Magdalen
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hegge
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Losnegard
authors.forename: Øyvind
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Skattebo
authors.forename: Espen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tønnessen
authors.forename: Hans-Christer
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Holmberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012865:Skiing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult