Because they possess well-developed and unique physical capacities, cross-country (c-c) skiers have been of special interest for research in exercise science. Early on, much of this research aimed to improve our understanding of the physiological characteristics of the athletes and the energy demands made on them in connection with various modes of skiing. As the sport has evolved, technical aspects have received more and more attention and combining physiological and biomechanical approaches have provided new insights.
C-c skiing involves several different techniques, a complexity that presents considerable technical, as well as cognitive challenges during a race. In response to changes in velocity, the inclination of the slope, and snow conditions, the skier must often choose between techniques that differ with respect to kinematics, kinetics, and the distribution of the workload between the muscles of the upper and lower body.
To date, most research on c-c skiing has been performed in the laboratory and more studies in the field/on snow and/or during competition are desirable. Such evaluations would provide insights into the factors that determine performance in connection with the various racing disciplines, as well as into why and when skiers use the different techniques. Fortunately, recent technological advances and innovations, with lighter equipment and higher accuracy, allow the recording of velocity and position with enhanced precision, providing biomechanical measurements in real time and more rapid feedback to the athlete.
Clearly, integration of biomechanical and physiological approaches and application of modern technology have tremendous potential to reveal new information concerning the factors the determine performance in c-c skiing, thereby helping to improve this performance.
2014. p. 5-