Improving functional performance of university students involved in cross-country skiing by means of integrated training methods within a microcycle

Aim. The paper aims to improve methods for athletic performance enhancement in university students involved in cross-country skiing. Materials and methods. The study involved 12 members of the university cross-country ski team (1st rank athletes and masters of sport). After a short training camp of three microcycles with one interval training each, a comparative analysis of aerobic/anaerobic performance, absolute/relative maximum oxygen consumption and the speed of exercise performance (treadmill, bicycle ergometer) was conducted with the data obtained before and after the experiment. Results. The analysis and review of training methods in other cyclic sports allow to conclude that interval exercises from track and field should be used for short-distance cross-country skiers. The interval exercises, which were used in the pre-competitive phase, contributed to the development of both the cardiovascular and muscular systems. The method proposed is aimed at the development of special endurance and speed of cross-country skiers. Conclusion. Training with load and rest intervals contributes to performance enhancement among university students involved in cross-country skiing, since this category of athletes cannot always achieve expected training intensity due to educational and routine activities. Our method contributed to the optimization of the training process and improved athletic performance among university students involved in cross-country skiing.