Enhancing endurance motor skills is a key focus of training sessions for skiers. The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate a methodology for enhancing general and specific endurance in 15-16-year-old cross-country skiers during the preparatory phase of the macrocycle. The research project involved 24 skiers aged 15-16 years, evenly divided into a control group (CG) and an experimental group (EG), with 12 participants in each. The athletes held 1-2 sports categories and were members of a sports specialization group at the Children's and Youth School of the Olympic Reserve in the Siberian region of Russia. In the EG, the progression of physical activity during the preparatory period was marked by a gradual increase in both volume and intensity, with a primary emphasis on expanding the volume of training work. The increase in the impact of the applied training loads was achieved by emphasizing their speed-oriented focus while maintaining intensity levels appropriate to the specific stage of preparation. The highest intensity of physical activity was observed during the third stage of the preparatory mesocycle. To improve aerobic capacity, various activities were incorporated, including alternating running with simulated inclines, roller skiing, cross-country skiing, sports games, cyclocross, step simulation with poles, swimming, strength training, and exercises for technique and movement coordination. At each stage of the preparatory period, milestone tests were performed to assess the motor skills and physical performance of all athletes. The effectiveness of the proposed method for improving general and special endurance was validated at the end of the research project through significantly higher test results in motor qualities and physical performance among skiers in the EG compared to those in the CG. After the preparatory stage, the EG athletes demonstrated a 7.9% improvement in their 5 km ski race performance compared to the CG, highlighting the superior effectiveness of the proposed method. The developed methodology for enhancing general and special endurance in 15-16-year-old cross-country skiers during the preparatory stage of training is recommended for practical use by coaches in children's and youth sports schools.
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