Quantitative Analysis of Annual Training Volume and Periodization Patterns in Elite Female Cross-Country Skiers Using GPS Monitoring: A Three-Athlete Case Study
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Study Design and Participants
2.2. Periodization Structure
2.3. Training Intensity Zone Determination
2.4. Training Monitoring and Data Collection
2.5. Strength Training Characterization
2.6. Comparative Data Sources
2.7. Data Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Annual Training Volume by Periodization Phase
3.2. Annual Training Distance
3.3. Annual Training Intensity Distribution
3.4. Phase-Specific Training Intensity Distribution
3.5. Comparison with WCF Benchmarks
4. Discussion
4.1. Training Volume Deficit
4.2. Strength Training Allocation: Strategic Choice or Structural Imbalance?
4.3. Training Intensity Distribution: Clarifying the Denominator
4.4. Periodization and Phase-Specific Intensity Modulation
4.5. Sex-Specific Considerations and Health Implications
4.6. Implications in Practical Training
4.7. Limitations
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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| Variable | Mean ± SD | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 24.0 ± 1.0 | |
| Height (cm) | 164.3 ± 3.2 | |
| Body mass (kg) | 51.0 ± 2.64 | |
| Athletic career (yr) | 14.0 ± 3.0 | |
| National team (yr) | 6.6 ± 3.5 | |
| FIS points | 108.46 ± 38.60 | Lower = better |
| VO2max (mL·kg−1·min−1) | 60.17 ± 6.11 | GXT roller ski |
| Phase | Month | Skiing (h) | Running (h) | Strength (h) | Total (h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPP1 | April | 10.45 | 20.36 | 15.17 | 45.98 |
| May | 21.01 | 14.30 | 16.09 | 51.40 | |
| June | 22.10 | 21.35 | 18.16 | 61.61 | |
| July | 32.50 | 17.39 | 20.56 | 70.45 | |
| GPP2 | August | 33.41 | 16.50 | 16.50 | 66.41 |
| September | 34.25 | 15.48 | 15.48 | 65.21 | |
| October | 39.04 | 18.15 | 18.15 | 75.34 | |
| November | 42.24 | 3.33 | 11.05 | 56.62 | |
| CP | December | 39.46 | 6.51 | 7.01 | 52.98 |
| January | 42.11 | 5.13 | 7.58 | 54.82 | |
| February | 33.04 | 6.36 | 3.36 | 42.76 | |
| March | 11.18 | 10.43 | 2.53 | 24.14 | |
| Total | 360.79 | 155.29 | 151.64 | 667.72 | |
| Phase | Month | Skiing (km) | Running (km) | Total (km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPP1 | April | 145.04 | 131.43 | 276.47 |
| May | 212.08 | 105.03 | 317.11 | |
| June | 237.78 | 146.10 | 383.88 | |
| July | 342.11 | 95.36 | 437.47 | |
| GPP2 | August | 372.51 | 87.40 | 459.91 |
| September | 375.38 | 84.10 | 459.48 | |
| October | 373.28 | 118.40 | 491.68 | |
| November | 441.88 | 15.37 | 457.25 | |
| CP | December | 428.73 | 27.83 | 456.57 |
| January | 417.54 | 29.30 | 446.84 | |
| February | 322.44 | 37.36 | 359.80 | |
| March | 114.36 | 12.46 | 126.82 | |
| Total | 3783.13 | 890.14 | 4673.28 | |
| Zone 1–2 (h) | Zone 3 (h) | Zone 4 (h) | Zone 5 (h) | Strength (h) | Total (h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 472.22 | 16.83 | 15.79 | 11.24 | 151.64 | 667.72 |
| 70.72% | 2.52% | 2.37% | 1.68% | 22.71% | 100% |
| (91.50%) * | (3.26%) * | (3.06%) * | (2.18%) * | — | 516.08 * |
| Phase | Zones 1–2 (h) | Zone 3 (h) | Zone 4 (h) | Zone 5 (h) | Strength (h) | Total (h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPP1 | 37.04 | 1.47 | 0.79 | 0.56 | 17.50 | 57.36 |
| GPP2 | 46.89 | 1.68 | 1.19 | 0.84 | 15.30 | 65.90 |
| CP | 34.12 | 1.05 | 1.97 | 1.41 | 5.12 | 43.67 |
| Parameter | KCF (Present Study) | WCF |
|---|---|---|
| Annual training volume (h) | 667.72 | 800–950 † |
| Endurance training volume (h) | 516.08 | ~846 * |
| Zones 1–2 (% of total) | 70.72% | ~80% † |
| Zones 1–2 (% of endurance only) | 91.5% | ~91% * |
| Zones 3–5 (% of endurance only) | 8.5% | ~9% * |
| Strength (% total) | 22.7% | ~10–12% * |
| Annual distance (km) | 4673 | 6000–8000 † |
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Share and Cite
Xiao, X.; Moon, S.; Kim, Y.; Choi, Y. Quantitative Analysis of Annual Training Volume and Periodization Patterns in Elite Female Cross-Country Skiers Using GPS Monitoring: A Three-Athlete Case Study. Bioengineering 2026, 13, 429. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13040429
Xiao X, Moon S, Kim Y, Choi Y. Quantitative Analysis of Annual Training Volume and Periodization Patterns in Elite Female Cross-Country Skiers Using GPS Monitoring: A Three-Athlete Case Study. Bioengineering. 2026; 13(4):429. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13040429
Chicago/Turabian StyleXiao, Xiangzi, Soyoun Moon, Yonghwan Kim, and Yongchul Choi. 2026. "Quantitative Analysis of Annual Training Volume and Periodization Patterns in Elite Female Cross-Country Skiers Using GPS Monitoring: A Three-Athlete Case Study" Bioengineering 13, no. 4: 429. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13040429
APA StyleXiao, X., Moon, S., Kim, Y., & Choi, Y. (2026). Quantitative Analysis of Annual Training Volume and Periodization Patterns in Elite Female Cross-Country Skiers Using GPS Monitoring: A Three-Athlete Case Study. Bioengineering, 13(4), 429. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13040429

