Achieving the model performance of energy systems in elite cross-country female skiers before the Olympics

Aim. The article deals with investigating the features of achieving the model performance of energy systems in Russian elite cross-country female skiers specializing in various competitive events. Materials and methods. The study involved 19 elite female skiers aged from 19 to 27 years specializing in various competitive events. These athletes were divided into 3 groups depending on their sports performance (long-distance skiers, universal skiers and sprinters). The test program included two protocols: (1) a stepwise increasing load to failure on a treadmill and (2) 60 second threshold performance on a bicycle ergometer. A unified training program aimed at basic performance enhancement was proposed to athletes. Results. The features of achieving the model performance of energy systems in elite cross-country female skiers were found. Model performance at the end of the preparatory period was ensured by an increase in the functional state, which was differentiated by the metabolic character of muscular activity. Intragroup differences between functional performance and the model one demonstrated the improvement of physical performance and achievement of the model level (Test 1). Moreover, in universal skiers and sprinters, this improvement was associated with an increase in the aerobic energy system, while long-distance skiers showed an increase in anaerobic threshold. Sprinters demonstrated the best performance compared to long-distance and universal skiers according to the results of Test 2. Conclusion. The results of the study allowed to identify the most important features for achieving model performance of elite cross-country female skiers and establish the conditions for forming an adequate energy system depending on the genetic predisposition of athletes.