Editorial: The physiology of the female athlete—performance, health, and recovery

Females are historically underrepresented in sports science research, with relatively few studies investigating female physiology in relation to exercise and sports performance, health, and recovery. This knowledge gap also extends to training planning, periodization, and peaking, where previous research has predominantly focused on male participants. Consequently, female athletes and their coaches have had to rely on scientific knowledge derived from male-centric research and adapt these findings based on their intuition. The exclusion of females from sports science research also carrier broader societal implications and consequences. In a society striving for equal opportunities in training, participation in activities, and the ability to pursue a career as a professional athlete, this marginalization and deprioritization of female-focused research signal that needs of female athletes are unfortunately undervalued and disregarded, undermining the inclusivity and integrity of sports science as a whole. The percentage of females participating in international championships has increased in recent years, and they compete for approximately the same number of medals and in the same disciplines as men. Similarly, the commercial activity around women’s sports has also increased in recent years with a significant rise in sponsorship revenues, advertising revenues, and revenues from televised events. However, in contrast to this progress observed in sports, research on female athletes unfortunately remains relatively scarce. Many female athletes have significantly contributed by openly discussing various challenges related to training, sport performance, menstruation, potential use of hormonal contraception (HC), and communication with coaches. For example, the natural hormone fluctuations and potential symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle are distinct to females and underscores the importance of undertaking further research focused exclusively on the female athlete. Females are more likely than males to enter a vicious cycle of disordered eating behavior, reduced energy availability, and accompanying disruptions in the menstrual cycle, particularly in endurance sports. This can have both short- and long-term negative health effects for females engaged in chronic/habitual vigorous physical activity/exercise and/or elite sport

Gender differences in the physiological responses and kinematic behaviour of elite sprint cross-country skiers

Gender differences in performance by elite endurance athletes, including runners, track cyclists and speed skaters, have been shown to be approximately 12%. The present study was designed to examine gender differences in physiological responses and kinematics associated with sprint cross-country skiing. Eight male and eight female elite sprint cross-country skiers, matched for performance, carried out a submaximal test, a test of maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) and a shorter test of maximal treadmill speed (Vmax) during treadmill roller skiing utilizing the G3 skating technique. The men attained 17% higher speeds during both the VO2max and the Vmax tests (P < 0.05 in both cases), differences that were reduced to 9% upon normalization for fat-free body mass. Furthermore, the men exhibited 14 and 7% higher VO2max relative to total and fat-free body mass, respectively (P < 0.05 in both cases). The gross efficiency was similar for both gender groups. At the same absolute speed, men employed 11% longer cycles at lower rates, and at peak speed, 21% longer cycle lengths (P < 0.05 in all cases). The current study documents approximately 5% larger gender differences in performance and VO2max than those reported for comparable endurance sports. These differences reflect primarily the higher VO2max and lower percentage of body fat in men, since no gender differences in the ability to convert metabolic rate into work rate and speed were observed. With regards to kinematics, the gender difference in performance was explained by cycle length, not by cycle rate

Analysis of a sprint ski race and associated laboratory determinants of world-class performance

This investigation was designed to analyze the time-trial (STT) in an international cross-country skiing sprint skating competition for (1) overall STT performance and relative contributions of time spent in different sections of terrain, (2) work rate and kinematics on uphill terrain, and (3) relationships to physiological and kinematic parameters while treadmill roller ski skating. Total time and times in nine different sections of terrain by 12 world-class male sprint skiers were determined, along with work rate and kinematics for one specific uphill section. In addition, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), gross efficiency (GE), peak speed (Vpeak), and kinematics in skating were measured. Times on the last two uphill and two final flat sections were correlated to overall STT performance (r = ~−0.80, P < 0.001). For the selected uphill section, speed was correlated to cycle length (r = −0.75, P < 0.01) and the estimated work rate was approximately 160% of peak aerobic power. VO2peak, GE, Vpeak, and peak cycle length were all correlated to STT performance (r = ~−0.85, P < 0.001). More specifically, VO2peak and GE were correlated to the last two uphill and two final flat section times, whereas Vpeak and peak cycle length were correlated to times in all uphill, flat, and curved sections except for the initial section (r = ~−0.80, P < 0.01). Performances on uphill and flat terrain in the latter part were the most significant determinants of overall STT performance. Peak oxygen uptake, efficiency, peak speed, and peak cycle length were strongly correlated to overall STT performance, as well as to performance in different sections of the race

The influence of incline and speed on work rate, gross efficiency and kinematics of roller ski skating

During competitions, elite cross-country skiers produce higher external work rates on uphill than on flat terrain. However, it is not presently known whether this reflects solely higher energy expenditure. Furthermore, the kinematic factors associated with these higher rates of uphill work have not yet been examined. Therefore, in the present investigation the work rate and associated kinematic parameters at similar metabolic rates during roller ski skating on flat and uphill terrains have been compared. Seven elite male skiers performed six 5-min sub-maximal exercise bouts at the same low, moderate and high metabolic rates on 2 and 8% inclines, while roller skiing on a treadmill employing the G3 skating technique. The work rate was calculated as work against gravity and friction, whereas the energetic equivalent of VO2 was taken as the metabolic rate. Gross efficiency was defined as work rate divided by metabolic rate. Kinematic parameters were analyzed in three dimensions. At the same metabolic rate, the work rate, cycle rate, work per cycle and relative duration of propulsive phases during a cycle of movement were all higher on the 8% than on the 2% incline at all speeds (all P &amp;lt; 0.05). At similar work rates, gross efficiency was greater on the 8% incline (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In conclusion, these elite skiers consistently demonstrated higher work rates on the 8% incline. To achieve the higher work rates on the steeper incline, these elite skiers employed higher cycle rates and performed more work per cycle, in association with a longer relative propulsive phase. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.</p

The effect of incline on sprint and bounding performance in cross-country skiers

Aim. Aim of the present study was to investigate performance and kinematics of cross-country skiers during sprint running and bounding on different inclines, in relationship to maximal strength, power and skiing performance. Methods. On day one, the maximal strength of 14 elite skiers was tested using a mid-thigh isometric pull and maximal relative leg power determined using squat and countermovement jumps. Day two involved 15-m maximal sprints and 5-step bounding at 0 degrees, 7.5 degrees and 15 degrees inclines. From video recordings sprint, step, contact and flight times; step length and frequency; total number of sprint steps and average bounding velocity were determined. Skiing performance was assessed using International Ski Federation (FIS) points from the preceding season and compared to strength, power, bounding and sprint performance, and kinematics. Results. On steeper inclines sprint time was higher and bounding distance shorter (both P&lt;0.001), and step frequency during sprinting and bounding, reduced and increased respectively (P&lt;0.001). Isometric maximal strength correlated strongly with bounding distance on the two steeper inclines (r=0.76 and 0.83). Squat and countermovement jump heights correlated moderately with sprint performance at both 7 degrees and 15 degrees, and bounding performance on all three inclines (r=0.55-0.65). The distance bounded uphill correlated moderately with FIS points (r=-0.55 and -0.67). Conclusion. Incline influenced sprinting and bounding performance and kinematics. Maximal leg power is important for both sprinting and bounding uphill, while maximal strength is important for the latter. The skiers with better FIS rankings bounded farther on steeper inclines, suggesting that this capacity is beneficial for cross-country skiing performance.</p

The effect of incline on sprint and bounding performance in cross-country skiers

Aim. Aim of the present study was to investigate performance and kinematics of cross-country skiers during sprint running and bounding on different inclines, in relationship to maximal strength, power and skiing performance. Methods. On day one, the maximal strength of 14 elite skiers was tested using a mid-thigh isometric pull and maximal relative leg power determined using squat and countermovement jumps. Day two involved 15-m maximal sprints and 5-step bounding at 0 degrees, 7.5 degrees and 15 degrees inclines. From video recordings sprint, step, contact and flight times; step length and frequency; total number of sprint steps and average bounding velocity were determined. Skiing performance was assessed using International Ski Federation (FIS) points from the preceding season and compared to strength, power, bounding and sprint performance, and kinematics. Results. On steeper inclines sprint time was higher and bounding distance shorter (both P&lt;0.001), and step frequency during sprinting and bounding, reduced and increased respectively (P&lt;0.001). Isometric maximal strength correlated strongly with bounding distance on the two steeper inclines (r=0.76 and 0.83). Squat and countermovement jump heights correlated moderately with sprint performance at both 7 degrees and 15 degrees, and bounding performance on all three inclines (r=0.55-0.65). The distance bounded uphill correlated moderately with FIS points (r=-0.55 and -0.67). Conclusion. Incline influenced sprinting and bounding performance and kinematics. Maximal leg power is important for both sprinting and bounding uphill, while maximal strength is important for the latter. The skiers with better FIS rankings bounded farther on steeper inclines, suggesting that this capacity is beneficial for cross-country skiing performance.</p

Louis Passfield-A Role Model for the Mission of IJSPP

On November 12, 2022, we got the sad news that Professor Louis Passfield had passed way. Our thoughts are now with Louis’s family and friends. He was a remarkable and respected man, an inspiration as a person, leader, scientist, and sport practitioner. His passion for physiology and performance in sports, in particular cycling, was tremendous. In his last YouTube video, posted not long before he passed away, Louis was riding his bike and talking passionately about his own training, generously sharing his wisdom of sport physiology and performance