Medico-Biological Support Of Young Perspective Cross-Country Skiers

Abstract

Sport selection and sport talent support are important biological and social issues of nowadays society. These aspects are extremely actual in the period of biological growth spurt. The proposed research was focused on investigation of the functional and fallout parameters of four young perspective cross-country skiers. Four young skiers who succeeded in national competitions in season 2017/2018 (mean age 14.75 ± 0.96 years; height – 176.13 ± 10.36 cm, body mass – 59.5 ± 8.3 kg) – one male and three female athletes – were recruited for the study. We performed sports laboratory examinations to evaluate comprehensive functional state of athletes. The following procedures were undertaken: anthropometric measurements, hemodynamic monitoring during active orthostatic test, maximal RAMP-protocol cycling test with gas-exchange measurements, arm-cycling Wingate test, high intensive interval training test (Tabata protocol) on Thorax Trainer with gas-exchange evaluation and performance analysis for vertical jumps with the use of force platform. We found that: (i) each studied skier possessed at least one higher than average parameter of physical preparedness; (ii) athletes had different functional profiles providing outstanding results in cross country competition; (iii) medico-biological support helped to determine adequate methods for training design. Careful and in-depth research of young perspective cross-country skiers revealed their individual features and weaknesses in the functional profiles. Medico-biological support is in sharp necessity for sport talents in adolescence as it helps to determine adequate methods for training design.