0000000000201208
AUTHOR
Silvana Bucher Sandbakk
Changes in Self-Reported Physical Fitness, Performance, and Side Effects Across the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Among Competitive Endurance Athletes
Purpose: To investigate changes in self-reported physical fitness, performance, and side effects across the menstrual cycle (MC) phases among competitive endurance athletes and to describe their knowledge and communication with coaches about the MC. Methods: The responses of 140 participants (older than 18 y) competing in biathlon or cross-country skiing at the (inter)national level were analyzed. Data were collected via an online questionnaire addressing participants’ competitive level, training volume, MC history, physical fitness, and performance during the MC, MC-related side effects, and knowledge and communication with coaches about the MC and its effects on training and performance. …
Energetic demands and nutritional strategies of elite cross-country skiers during Tour de Ski : A narrative review
The Tour de Ski (TDS: 6–9 sprint and distance races across 9–11 days) represents the most intense competition series of the cross-country (XC) ski season and is characterized by accumulated stress from consecutive days of high-intensity (~ 85%–160% VO2max) racing, travel, cold temperatures and low to moderate altitude (500–1500 m above sea level). Here, nutritional strategies play a key supportive role for optimized health, recovery and performance. This narrative review aims to provide an evidence-based discussion on the energetic demands of the TDS and recommendations for nutritional strategies to optimize health and performance of XC skiers during and following the TDS. We highlight seve…