Connecting Science & Practice

Laboratory testing – more than just numbers on a piece of paper

Whether reading scientific articles on sports physiology or newspaper articles about sports, one is faced with information in terms of numbers and results. In the case of goals scored in a hockey match, it is obvious what the numbers mean, but when it comes to test results it is important to know more about the methods behind the results, how the numbers are produced, how precise the results are and, not least, how to interpret them.

Athlete Monitoring in Cross-Country Skiing

During the 2018-2019 season, the Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre and the Swedish Ski Federation will be commencing a longitudinal project focusing on athlete monitoring whithin cross-country skiing. The aim is to better understand the complex relationships between training load, daily stress, recovery, illness and other factors that affect performance. The findings will be analysed and presented in a way that can help skiers to train and perform better.

Nutritional supplements – beetroot and caffeine

Nutritional supplements can give you that extra little advantage, which is crucial in a race. But they can't replace proper training, a well-balanced diet, adequate sleep or rest.

Cross-country skiing and warm-up

Here is a set of evidence-guided recommendations for warm-up before cross-country skiing, written by Kerry McGawley, Director of the Swedish Winter Sports Centre.