Differences in pacing pattern and sub‐technique selection between young and adult competitive cross‐country skiers

The present study describes differences in pacing patterns and sub‐technique selection in young compared to adult competitive cross‐country skiers. Eleven young male skiers (YOS) (14.4 ± 0.5 years, V˙O2peak 63.9 ± 2.8 mL∙kg‐1∙min‐1) and eight adult male skiers (ADS) (22.6 ± 4.3 years, V˙O2peak 77.4 ± 4.4 mL∙kg‐1∙min‐1) performed a free technique rollerski time trial (TT) over a distance of 4.3 km (YOS) and 13.1 km (ADS) to simulate normal racing distances. A GNSS/IMU system was used to track position, speed, and classify sub‐techniques. Skiing economy and V˙O2peak were measured on an additional day to calculate the relative oxygen demand (V˙O2dem) in 13 segments of the TT. YOS were slower than ADS in all types of terrain (mean speed difference of 13%), with differences for uphills of 19%, undulating terrain of 11% and downhills of 8% (all P