Physiological comparisons of cross-country skiing techniques

Abstract

Since the popularization of ski skating, several investigations have compared the physiological responses of various cross-country skiing techniques. While this work is incomplete in fully characterizing the relative physiological demands of the different skiing techniques, some conclusions can be made. The diagonal stride technique is the least economical technique for skiing on flat ground. The magnitude of the difference in economy between the diagonal stride and skating techniques for skiing on flat terrain compares well with the 10-30% faster race velocities with the skating techniques. Nevertheless, it appears that the heart rates, blood lactate concentrations and perceived efforts elicited at a given oxygen uptake are similar between the diagonal stride and skating techniques. Therefore, the cardiorespiratory training benefits from classical skiing and ski skating should be similar if performed at the same heart rates or perceived efforts. Several studies have demonstrated that the double pole technique is the most economical cross-country skiing technique on flat terrain. Extended use of the double pole technique, however is probably limited by its greater anaerobic demands.