Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate possible relationships between a) performance, performance-determining factors and, technique and b) seasonal variations in performance and performance-determining factors and, changes in technique. Methods: A total of 48 cross country skiers participated, of which 37 participants (Age: 22.1±3.7, FIS points: 73.2±35.3) had complete datasets from test day 1 and were used to analyze the relationships described in a). A total of 10 participants (Age: 20.3±3.3, FIS points: 81.8±23.9) had complete datasets for three separate test days (spring, summer, autumn) and were used to investigate seasonal variations as described in b). All participants performed a blood lactate profile which consisted of several 5-minute intervals at increasing intensities. During the intervals respiratory variables (submaximal oxygen uptake, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, gross efficiency) and kinematic variables (cycle length, cycle rate, poling time, relative poling time, pole angle at touchdown and liftoff) were measured at fixed speeds and incline, with a predefined skating technique known as double dance or G3 technique. Participants also performed a time to task failure test to determine maximal oxygen uptake at a set incline with increasing speed. Results: A strong relationship was detected between VThreshold and gross efficiency at two fixed submaximal speeds (R = 0.68, R2 = 0.46, p < 0.001), however, no relationship was detected between gross efficiency and technical parameters for the same speeds. No changes in either physiological, technical variables over the course of three tests, with no overall effect of time. No effect of test period was detected for performance-related factors. Conclusion: The study identified a strong relationship between performance and gross efficiency. However, no correlation between any of the technical parameters and VThreshold. Lastly, no change or meaningful difference in physiological or technical variables over the course of the testing period occurred.
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