The purpose of this study was to examine what main factors are perceived as important for the talent development environment in a successful cross-country skiing association. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with eight participants with different positions within the cross-country ski association. All participants were over 18 years old. The models Athletic Talent Development Environment (ATDE) and The Environment Success Factors (ESF) were used as theoretical frameworks. Using thematic content analysis, the interview results were analyzed, and the results were later divided into the following main themes; the micro-level sports area, micro-level non-sports area, macro level, conditions, process, organizational development and culture, individual development and performance, team performance, and environmental efficiency. The three overarching factors that were perceived as important for a good talent development environment were: To conduct good youth activities with supportive relationships and competent coaches. That sports goals are supported by the environment through the association, family and sports-oriented high schools and universities. To focus on long-term development through a permissive environment and a high degree of autonomy. Future research of interest would have been to study other cross-country skiing environments as well as environments where associations' activities are not conducted in connection with upper secondary school or university / Syftet med studien var att undersöka faktorer som upplevs vara viktiga i en talangutvecklingsmiljö hos en idrottsligt framgångsrik längdskidförening.Insamlingen av data skedde genom semistrukturerade intervjuer som genomfördes med åtta deltagare med olika positioner inom längdskidföreningen. Samtliga deltagare var över 18 år. Som teoretiskt ramverk användes modellerna Athletic Talent Development Environment (ATDE) samt The Environment Success Factors (ESF). Med hjälp av tematisk innehållsanalys analyserades intervjuresultaten och resultatet delades in i följande huvudteman; det mikronivå-idrottsliga området, mikronivå-icke idrottsliga området,makronivå, förutsättningar, process, organisationsutveckling och kultur, individuell utveckling och prestationer, lagprestationer, samt miljöns effektivitet. Resultatet visade tre övergripande faktorer som upplevdes vara viktiga för en bra talangutvecklingsmiljö vilka var: Att bedriva en bra ungdomsverksamhet med stödjande relationer och kompetenta tränare. Att idrottsliga mål stöds av omgivningen genom föreningen, familj samt idrottsinriktade gymnasium och universitet. Likväl att fokus riktas på långsiktig utveckling genom en tillåtande och stöttande miljö och en hög grad av autonomi. Intressant framtida forskning hade varit att studera andra längskidåkningsmiljöer samt miljöer där föreningars aktiveter inte bedrivs i samband med gymnasium eller högskola.

Title: The analysis of interest in cross-country skiing during the coronavirus crisis Objectives: The aim of this thesis is to analyze the visitors of cross-country skiing in Bedřichov, located in the Jizera Mountains, during the Covid-19 crisis. Methods: The main source of information for this thesis was acquired through a questionnaire form completed by the residents of Bedřichov Village in the Jizera mountains. The results revealed the coronavirus impact on the interest in cross country skiing. Results: Based on the questionnaire responses, an analysis of data was conducted from which an overview of individual questionnaire items was created. The overview results assisted in evaluating and verifying a total of 4 hypotheses previously established. 15 respondents participated in this process and their responses helped to verify such hypotheses. Conclusion: The results of analysis data confirmed all estabilished hypotheses. The main hypothesis was also confirmed, that is the interest in cross-country skiing had increased during coronavirus crisis due to the government measures. Keywords: cross country skiing, Covid-19, Bedřichov, public interest

SyfteDenna studies syfte var att undersöka om det finns ett samband mellan mellantid och sluttid på sprint prologer för herrar i världscuptävlingar, samt undersöka om förklaringsgraden för detta samband skiljer sig mellan tävlingsbanor med olika banprofil baserat på antal höjdmeter fram till mellantiden (CTC).MetoderAnalysen gjordes genom att ladda ner samtliga resultat från prologer från världscupen innehållande en mellantid efter 500-1000 m från säsongen 2017/2018 till 2019-2020. Sluttid, slutplacering och tid och placering vid mellantidsstation användes i den statistiska analysen. CTC beräknades genom att dividera klättrade höjdmeter från start till mellantid med respektive banas distans från start till mellantid. Baserat på olika banors CTC delades banorna in i 2 grupper, Level 1 (L1) banor med CTC ≤ 0,040 m/m och Level 2 (L2) CTC > 0,040 m/m. För att bestämma om datan var normalfördelad användes Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Datan analyserades sedan med hjälp av Pearsons korrelation för att beräkna korrelationskoefficienten (r) vilken sedan kvadrerades för att få förklaringsgraden (r2).ResultatKorrelationsanalysen som genomförts visar ett signifikant resultat mellan mellantid och sluttid för alla analyserade prologer (0,63 < r < 0,95; alla p < 0,001). Mellantiden förklarar 76 ± 12 % av variationen i sluttid, men ingen signifikant skillnad sågs för förklaringsgraden mellan tävlingsbanor med olika CTCSlutsatserSlutsatserna som kan dras av denna studie är att ett bra resultat vid mellantiden med stor sannolikhet kommer ge ett bra slutresultat, oberoende av banprofil. Framtida forskning behövs för att utvärdera vilken taktik åkarna väljer. / PurposeThe aim of this present study was to investigate if there is any correlation between intermediate station time and finish time in men’s cross-country ski sprint World Cup prologue. The second purpose was to identify if the correlation could depend on the morphology of the analysed courses. Methods Analyses were made on sprint prologues in World Cup, involving an intermediate time after 500-1000m from season 2017/2018 to 2019-2020. Intermediate time and finish time were used in statistical analysis. A coefficient of terrain characteristics (CTC) was calculated by dividing the high difference (HD) from the start to the position of the intermediate time station by the respectively covered distance. Based on CTC the different courses were categorized in two groups. Leve 1 (L1) courses with a CTC ≤ 0,040 m/m and Level 2 (L2) courses with a CTC > 0,040 m/m. To identify if data were normally distributed Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used. The data were analysed using Pearson’s correlation to calculate the coefficient of variation (r) which was then squared to obtain the coefficient of determination (r2).ResultsThe correlation analysis shows that there were significant relationships between intermediate time and finish time for all analysed sprint prologues (0,63 < r < 0,95; all p < 0,001). Intermediate time explains 76 ± 12 % of the variation in finish time, while no significant difference was seen for the determination coefficients between race tracks with different CTCConclusionsFast times at the intermediate time stations will most likely give good finish times, independent of terrain characteristics (CTC). Further researches are needed to evaluate which pacing profile skiers are using.

Syfte Studien syftar till att klarlägga hur stavisättningen och stakfasen påverkas vid användandet av en böjd jämfört med en rak stavdesign vid stakning i hög hastighet på rullskidor på rullband. Följande frågeställningar har undersökts:  Leder en böjd stavdesign till att stavisättningen sker längre fram?  Leder en böjd stavdesign till att stakfasens absoluta längd förändras?  Leder en böjd stavdesign till att stakfasens relativa längd förändras? Metod Tio manliga längdskidåkare (ålder 25,3 ± 5,1 år, kroppslängd 182,1 ± 8,6 cm, kroppsvikt 78 ± 6,5 kg) deltog i studien. Forskningspersonerna genomförde ett Vmax-protokoll stakning på rullskidor på rullband, med rak såväl som med böjd stavdesign. Rörelsedata samlades in och analyserades för att fastställa eventuella skillnader i stavisättning, stakfas, återförandefas och total cykeltid. Resultat En signifikant skillnad kan påvisas gällande stavisättning, där en böjd stavdesign leder till en stavisättning längre framför bindningen jämfört med en rak stavdesign. Ingen signifikant skillnad kan påvisas rörande stakfasen, återförandefasen eller total cykeltid. Slutsatser Studiens visar att stavspetsens rörelsebana flyttas vid nyttjande av en böjd stavdesign i riktning framåt. Dock påverkas inte stakfasen, återförandefasen eller total cykeltid, vilket innebär att stakfasens längd, i absoluta såväl som relativa termer, är densamma vid stakning med rak och böjd stavdesign. / Purpose statement The purpose of the study is to examine how the pole plant and pole phase are affected by using a pole of curved, compared to straight, design for double poling at high speed on roller skis at a treadmill. The following research questions have been examined:  Does a curved pole design result in a pole plant further forward?  Does a curved pole design result in a change in the absolute length of the pole phase?  Does a curved pole design result in a change in the relative length of the pole phase? Methodology Ten male cross country skiers (age 25,3 ± 5,1 years, height 182,1 ± 8,6 cm, BW 78 ± 6,5 kg) took part in the study. The test subjects performed a Vmax-test double poling on roller skis on a treadmill, with straight and curved poles. Movement data was collected and analysed to examine potential differences regarding pole plant, pole phase, recovery phase and total cycle time. Results A significant difference was found regarding the pole plant, as a curved pole design resulted in a pole plant further forward compared to a straight design. No significant difference was found related to the pole phase, recovery phase or total cycle time. Conclusion The study shows that the path of the pole tip is moved forward when using poles of a curved design. There is no change in the pole phase, the recovery phase or the total cycle time, thus the length of the pole phase, absolute as well as relative, is unaffected by pole design when double poling.

Topic: Organizational issues of a public mass marathon in cross-country skiing Goals of thesis: The aim of this thesis is to identify all the difficulties with planning, implementation and evaluation of public mass marathon in cross-country skiing. Further this work should give a example and methodological manual for organization of public mass marathon. This thesis is valid for Czech Republic. Method: The solution results from analysis of documents dealing with the issue. Another source of information is based on long term organizational experience of LK Slovan Karlovy Vary with organizing public mass marathon. Results: The main goal was achieved by creating detailed instructions for organization of mass race. The main contribution of this thesis is to provide the guidelines for organizers beginners of public mass marathon. The work is divided into two parts. The theoretical part describe history of mass-races in cross country skiing at home and abroad. There is also set of rules for mass races and theoretically described process of organizing sport's events in terms of economics, marketing and management. The practical part describes the preparatory phase, implementation phase and final completion of the race. Keywords: Cross-country skiing, race organisation, sport event, methodical manual

Title: Characteristics and description of cross-country skiing resorts in the Czech Republic Aim: The aim of this work is to look for cross-country ski resorts in the Czech republic which are suitable for cross-country trainings and competitions of various categories. The extension of this work is the creation of a written and electronic list featuring these areas and including a brief description of their background. The electronic version of the overview of the cross-country resorts, mentioned in this work would be/will be/is posted on the internet for the needs of the ski clubs and cross-country skiing lovers. Methods: The basis of this work is data collection performed by analysis of documents referred to in the literature and on websites. A large amount of the information was provided by the skiers, administrators of sites and their operators. Another method used in this work to determine the actual technical details, especially concerning the individual ski resorts and cross-country skiing routes, was the survey. Given the low responding rate, and because of a very narrow range of questions asked, it was not appropriate to use a method of data collection by questionnaire. Results: Assessment of individual sites based on the offered training opportunities and organization of competitions for...

The objective of this thesis is to examine the presence of the poor posture or the muscle imbalances at younger school-age children. Children do actively sports in a ski club for a long time; they also have a year training plan. Stationary functions and muscle activity in physiological position were investigated by physiotherapist who indicated some poor posture and muscle imbalances. On the basis of that examination there were recommended some compensatory exercises that can help to adjust or to eliminate detected imbalances. Recommended exercises became a part of the club training program, but the main part was practiced at home. According to the entrance and final examination of the participants we can assess the positive influence of the compensatory exercises to muscle imbalances and the children musculoskeletal system. Considering the results of the thesis we are able to proclaim that the long-term exercises can completely eliminate muscle imbalances. The contribution of this thesis has an irreplaceable importance for the work with children in the ski club.

Title: Economic Impact of Jizerska 50 on the Czech Republic and Liberec District Objectives: The main objective of the thesis is to calculate the extent of the economic impact that the expanses of Jizerska 50 visitors have on Czech economy and the economy of Liberec District. The information about the amount and structure of the expenses plus other related information, i. e. the main data used for this calculation, were provided by Jizerska 50 participants themselves. The partial objective is to find out what impact do the expenses of the visitiors have on income of public budgets and to compare them with public support of Jizerska 50. Methods: The case study is based on analysis of internal secondary data from Raul agency, i.e. data that relate to Jizerska 50, and then primarily on the results from questionnaire constructions among its participants. The collected data were used for the calculation which quantified the economic impact of the expenses of the visitors on several indicators of Czech economy and Liberec District economy productivity. Results: The thesis' results claim that 48th Jizerska 50 in year 2015 was visited by 13 183 visitors. Their expenses related to this event generated growth of Czech economy by more than 60,5 million CZK, out of which almost 18,5 million resulted in overall...

Title: Individualization of pre-race microcycle for cross-country skiers Objectives: The aim of the thesis was to estimate the appropriate load of selected competitors before the competition. Methods: The work is conceived as a case study. It is a quantitative research based on measured values obtained from the trainer Ercolina Upper Body Power. We estimated the appropriate load in pre-race microcycle of five elite cross-country skiers. Results: Collected data have prevented the pre-race microcycle to be identical for all competitors. We achieved microcycle individualization for each competitor, which lead to better physical and psychological preparedness. Keywords: cross-country skiing, double poling, load, simulator, heart rate

Uppsatsen beskriver vidareutveckling av en längdskidåkningsjacka till en värmande, mer multi- funktionell jacka med avslappnad passform, i samarbete med ett svenskt konfektionsföretag specialiserat på längdskidåkning. I uppdraget ingick att undersöka hur användningsområdet kan breddas utan att jackans funktion vid längdskidåkning försämras. En kravspecifikation utformades med hänsyn till synpunkter från utövare och återförsäljare samt produktionsmässiga förutsättningar. Arbetsprocessen dokumenterades och förankrades i vetenskaplig litteratur och resultatet validerades genom framtagning av en herrjacka som möter de framtagna kriterierna. Ett funktionellt plagg måste framför allt ha riktigt bra passform och komfort; specialiserade finesser kan bli störningsmoment för den som inte behöver dem. Funktionskläder för sport, träning och friluftsliv måste ofta uppfylla höga och motsägelsefulla krav; det kan krävas extrem rörelsefrihet, hög slitstyrka men låg vikt, väderskydd men effektiv ventilation under intensiv ansträngning. Högpulsaktivitet i vinterklimat ställer särskilda krav på klädsystemets temperaturreglerings- förmåga och rörelsefrihet; båda är avgörande för såväl komfort som prestation. Litteratur- översikten behandlar därför termisk och ergonomisk komfort, mönsterkonstruktion för rörlighet, passformsutvärdering, och beräkning av viddtillägg. Jag diskuterar även behoven av konstruktionsunderlag applicerbara på funktionsplagg, systematisering av passforms- utvärdering, och preciserad terminologi. Idag krävs ofta många prototyper för att uppnå god passform, komfort och funktionalitet; denna tidskrävande och kostsamma process bör kunna effektiviseras genom dokumentation och metodstandardisering. / This bachelor’s thesis describes the development of a cross-country skiing jacket for a Swedish niche brand. The assignment required investigation of possibilities to diversify the garment’s usage range while maintaining functionality for the original target group. The concept is a warm, multifunctional men’s jacket in a relaxed fit, complementing the present collection. Market research and literature studies were used to clarify user needs, retailer requests and production constraints. Functional requirements for sportswear are tough and often contradictory: high durability at low weight, weatherproof yet breathable. It is essential, both for comfort and performance, that clothing systems for high intensity activities in cold climate have outstanding thermoregulatory properties and mobility; literature on thermal and ergonomic comfort, patternmaking for mobility, fit evaluation and garment ease is reviewed. The results were validated through the production of a sample garment, while striving to document the process methodically. Numerous samples are usually required to achieve good fit, comfort and functionality; this process tends to be especially time-consuming and costly for quality functional clothing. Benefits of consistent documentation and standardized methods are discussed, as well as the lack of precise terminology and of patternmaking texts applicable to functional garments, systematization of fitting, and fit evaluation.