Ski de fond or cross country skiing is one of the worlds most physically demanding sports. It uses all the major muscle groups with greater intensity and duration than any other activity, including running, cycling swimming and rowing. Well trained competitors routinely attain sustained oxygen uptakes of 80 to 85% maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) for around 90 minutes; a physiological a feat not matched by other sports.
Cross country skiing events are frequently performed at altitude, particularly at the Olympics. This places additional challenges for oxygen transport, and also predisposes athletes to greater risk of metabolic injury and performance deficits. ESG’s detailed understanding of the physiological demands of cross country skiing was gained working with the French Winter Olympic Team. This coupled with our expertise in nutritional biochemistry allows us to support athletes effectively, allowing them to maintain and attain top performance.