Associate professor N.P. Gerasimov¹
Associate professor E.I. Ahmetshina²
Professor I.S. Mutaeva³
Professor O.B. Solomakhin⁴ 
¹Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev (KNRTU-KAI), Branch Naberezhnye Chelny
²Private Educational Institution of Higher Education «Kazan Innovative University named after V.G. Timiryasov» (IEML), Kazan
³ Elabuga Institute (branch) of FSAEIHPE «Kazan (Volga region) Federal University, Elabuga
⁴ Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, Kazan

Keywords: speed qualities, response rate, speed training model, cross-country skier, sport training, age-specific progress.

Background. Modern sports are getting younger very fast, with a steady growth of sports achievements and competitiveness. This progress is secured by new physical fitness, technical and tactical training methods and tools [1-4]. The training service modeling technologies give a special priority to the age-specific resources and physical progress facilitation methods for young athletes [5]. Modern cross-country skiing sport training systems take into account the natural unevenness (heterogeneity) of the physical and technical progress, with a special priority to the endurance, speed-strength and strength training elements for success [2]. The age group analyzed herein is known to progress fast in the speed qualities due to the fast neuromuscular processes and responses with a rapid growth of fast myofibrils in the key muscles (A.V. Karasev, 1994). However, the growing competitiveness of the modern cross-country skiing sport urge the sport community looking for new training methods, models and tools for young athletes.

Objective of the study was to theoretically substantiate and test benefits of a new preparatory-period speed training model for the 15-17 year-old cross-country skiers.

Methods and structure of the study. Based on analysis of the reference theoretical and practical study reports, physical fitness systems and practical training experiences, we developed the new speed training model on the following key provisions:

- The speed training practices should be run in fresh condition till the first signs of fatigue, followed by the speed endurance building practices – normally at the first stage of every training session.

- Different speed training practices need to be reasonably combined for the training process efficiency as they complement different aspects of sports fitness.

- The speed training process should be reasonably customized, with the speed stepped up and slowed down in the most efficient manner.

- The speed trainings are recommended to be started up from the smaller bodily parts (upper limbs) to develop higher movement speeds, and only they are warmed up, the practices should involve the slower moving lower limbs to secure the required movement harmony.

The new training model testing experiment included two stages. At the first stage the sample was trained as required by the traditional preparatory training system. We sampled for the experiment the 15-17 year-old males (n=24) who were split at the second stage into Experimental and Reference Groups (EG, RG) of 12 people each. The RG was trained by the traditional training method, and the EG training was complemented by the new speed training model, with the theoretical and practical training elements including 5 speed training sessions.

Every of the five sessions included the following seven groups of exercises:

1. Starts from different positions after frequency-stepping exercises: prior to skiing, the group practiced high-frequency hand movements mimicking the racing technique; with the fingers, hands, forearms drumming on the knees, hips, wall and floor; followed by high-frequency on-spot run.

2. Top-frequency downhill runs on a slight incline, alternating with runs on a flat surface.

3. Running on marks on a distance marked so as to make every stride shorter than the individual optimum, with every mark stepped on.

4. Stepped-to-top-frequency exercises during the warm-up and preparatory phases of every session.

5. Fast tasks on signal, including single actions (jump), starts and short runs.

6. Fast tasks on varied signals – for example, front jump on a whistle, back jump on a clap; 15m sprint on "hop" exclamation etc.

7. Top-frequency practices in alternating difficult/ eased conditions, including 10m resisted runs in couples (in harness) alternating with non-resisted runs; uphill runs by stairs with every step stepped on; flat-surface runs etc.

Progress in the new model testing experiment was tested by the following tests: 30m sprint test; 10s on-spot run test; response test; and 3x10m shuttle sprint test. The EG and RG tests were run prior to and after stage 1 and stage 2 of the experiment.

Findings and discussion. Given in Table 1 hereunder are the pre- versus post-stage-1 speed test data of the sample.

Table 1. Pre- versus post-stage-1 (May and June) speed test data of the sample

The above data show the speed qualities being quite even in the 15-17 year-olds prior to the experiment, with pre- versus post-training differences insignificant. Prior to stage 2, the speed test data of the EG and RG were virtually the same: see Table 2.

Table 2. Pre-stage-2 speed test data of the sample (prior to the new speed training model testing experiment)

Upon completion of the new speed training model testing experiment, we run the final tests that demonstrated a significant progress of the EG compared to the RG: see Table 3.

Table 3. Post-experimental speed test data of the sample

Comparative analysis of the post- versus pre-experimental test data showed a significant progress of the EG in every test (p≤0.05) – versus insignificant progress in the RG (p> 0.05). These data demonstrate benefits of the new speed training model for progress in the youth cross-country skiing sport.

Conclusion. The new speed training model testing experiment showed benefits of the model for progress in every speed quality. This finding gives us the grounds to recommend the new speed training model for application in trainings of the 15-17 year-old cross-country skier.

References

1. Abaturov R.A., Ogoltsov I.G. Training load planning in preparatory period. Moscow: Lyzhny sport publ., 1983. 56 p.
2. Butin I.M. Skiing. Study guide. Moscow: Vlados-Press publ., 2013. 192 p.
3. Ramenskaya T.I. Special skier training. Study guide. Moscow: SportAkademPress publ., 2001. 228 p.
4. Ramenskaya T.I. Skier technical training. Teaching aid. Moscow: Fizkultura i sport publ., 2013. 264 p.
5. Ramenskaya T.I. Junior skier. Popular educational book about long-term training of cross-country skiers. Moscow: SporAkademPress publ., 2004. 204 p.

Corresponding author: gernikos@mail.ru

Abstract

Objective of the study was to theoretically substantiate and test benefits of a new preparatory-period speed training model for the 15-17 year-old cross-country skiers.

Methods and structure of the study. Based on analysis of the reference theoretical and practical study reports, physical fitness systems and practical training experiences, the new speed training model was developed. The new training model testing experiment included two stages. The first stage was designed to train the sample as required by the traditional training system. We sampled for the experiment the 15-17 year-old male cross-country skiers (n=24) who were split at the second stage into Experimental and Reference Groups of 12 people each. The Reference Group was trained by the traditional training method, and in the Experimental Group training was dominated by the new speed training model, with the theoretical and practical training including 5 speed training sessions. Every of the five sessions included the following seven groups of exercises.

Results and conclusion. Comparative analysis of the post- versus pre-experimental test data showed a meaningful progress of the Experimental Group in every test (p≤0.05) – versus insignificant progress in the Reference Group (p> 0.05). The new speed training model testing experiment showed benefits of the model for progress in every speed quality. This finding gives us the grounds to recommend the new speed training model for application in trainings of the 15-17 year-old cross-country skier.