Key result
Age and performance level interact to influence 10 km pacing strategies in amateur cross-country skiers.
Observational (n=105,565)
Effect estimate: η2 = 0.026 (women), η2 = 0.025 (men) for Change A
p-value: p=<0.001
Differences in pacing strategies among age groups of amateur cross-country skiers depend significantly on their performance level.
Performance-stratified pacing guidance may optimize training for aging skiers; leaves open whether interactions generalize to other endurance sports.
Pacing strategies have mainly been investigated for runners, but little is known for cross-country skiers. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of performance and age on pacing strategies in cross-country skiing. All finishers (women, n = 19,375; men, n = 86,190) in the ‘Engadin Ski Marathon’ (42 km) between 1998 and 2016 were analysed for the percentage change of speed at 10 km (Change A), 20 km (Change B) and 35 km (Change C). They were classified in performance groups according to quartiles of average race speed (Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4) and in 5-year age groups (<20, 20-24, 25-29… 85-89 years). Men were faster than women by +14.3% (15.2 ± 4.0 vs. 13.3 ± 3.3 km/h; p < 0.001, η2 = 0.215). A small impact of age group × performance group interaction on Change A was shown in women (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.026) and men (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.025), where Q1 augmented and Q4 attenuated the decrease in speed with aging. However, the impact of age group × performance group interaction on Change B and C was trivial (p = 0.002, η2 ≤ 0.010). Based on these findings, it was concluded that the differences in pacing among age groups depended on the performance level. Thus, the coaches and fitness trainers working with cross-country skiers should advise their athletes to consider both age and performance.
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Nikolaidis et al. (2019) conducted an observational in Amateur cross-country skiers (n=105,565). Age and performance level was evaluated on Percentage change of speed at 10 km (Change A), 20 km (Change B) and 35 km (Change C) (η2 = 0.026 (women), η2 = 0.025 (men) for Change A, p=<0.001). Performance level and age significantly interacted to affect pacing strategy at 10 km in amateur cross-country skiers (p < 0.001), with differences in pacing among age groups depending on performance.
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