Energetic demands and nutritional strategies of elite cross-country skiers during Tour de Ski : A narrative review

2021

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…