Science of the Winter Olympics - Cross-Country Skiing, Internal Athlete

The video explores the rigorous demands of Olympic cross country skiing, highlighting the sport's requirement for exceptional endurance and aerobic fitness. It delves into the biochemical processes that enable skiers to maximize oxygen uptake and energy conversion, focusing on the concept of VO2 Max. The video also covers the testing procedures used to measure athletes' aerobic capacity and includes insights from athletes on the mental and physical challenges they face.

What mental strategies do athletes use to cope with the pain during VO2 Max testing?

How does the aerobic capacity of cross country skiers compare to athletes from other endurance sports?

What factors, besides aerobic capacity, influence an athlete's performance on race day?