DIGITAL FEEDBACK IN CYCLIC SPORTS AS A KEY TO QUALITY LEARNING AND TRAINING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31110/2616-650X-vol13i7-019Keywords:
digitalization, feedback, mobile technologies, endurance, training, learning, injuries, training load managementAbstract
The rapid development of technology is leading to improvements in the methodology of teaching and training in sports, where digital feedback is a cornerstone, providing objective information to improve the process of training athletes. Despite the widespread introduction of digital tools in the training of athletes in cyclic sports, there is a need for a holistic understanding and systematization of the optimal use of feedback, as the rapid spread of technologies outpaces their comprehension, and athletes and coaches often face data overload and difficulties in interpretation. The aim of the study was to identify key areas of application of digital feedback in the training of athletes in cycling sports. The study was conducted through a bibliometric analysis of publications from the Web of Science database for the period 2015-2025, using an advanced search query. Only peer-reviewed articles and reviews were included. Keyword mapping using VOSviewer (v.1.6.19) allowed clustering the studied field. From the 206 publications found, after screening and filtering according to inclusion/exclusion criteria, 53 relevant sources were selected for further analysis. The clustering results focused on identifying 6 interconnected clusters that reflect different areas of application of digital feedback: physiological monitoring, performance indicators and strength training, biomechanics and technique optimization, injury prevention and risk management, energy efficiency and cardiovascular activity, as well as training load management and recovery. Digital feedback has proven to be a central element in monitoring and optimizing training in endurance sports, plays an important role in the process of fatigue control and improving the effectiveness of strength training, provides objective data for correcting movement technique, helps monitor training load for injury prevention, and ensures the determination of the optimal load-recovery ratio. Overall, digital feedback in cyclic sports is a key factor for both quality learning through the ability to correct movement techniques and for quality training in the context of optimizing adaptation and recovery of athletes. Future research prospects include further integration of different types of digital data, development of intuitive interfaces and improvement of artificial intelligence algorithms for more accurate and individualized recommendations, as well as conducting long-term studies of the impact of digital feedback.
References
Abut, F. A. T. İ. H., Akay, M. F., Daneshvar, S., Özcan, A. L. P. E. R., & Heil, D. (2023). Non-exercise-based racing time prediction of cross-country skiers using machine learning methods combined with Relief-F feature selection. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, 17543371231194011. https://doi.org/10.1177/17543371231194011
Boulay, M., Serresse, O., Almeras, N., & Tremblay, A. (1994). Energy-expenditure measurement in male cross-country skiers - comparison of 2 field methods. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 26(2), 248–253. https://doi.org/10.1249/00005768-199402000-00017
Herzig, D., Testorelli, M., Olstad, D. S., Erlacher, D., Achermann, P., Eser, P., & Wilhelm, M. (2017). Heart-Rate Variability During Deep Sleep in World-Class Alpine Skiers: A Time-Efficient Alternative to Morning Supine Measurements. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 12(5), 648–654. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2016-0257
Schmitt, L., Regnard, J., Coulmy, N., & Millet, G. P. (2018). Influence of Training Load and Altitude on Heart Rate Variability Fatigue Patterns in Elite Nordic Skiers. International journal of sports medicine, 39(10), 773–781. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0577-4429
Fruet, D., Zignoli, A., Modena, R., Pellegrini, B., Gastaldi, L., & Bortolan, L. (2024). Design and development of a feedback system for automatic treadmill speed adaptation. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, 17543371241257996. https://doi.org/10.1177/17543371241257996
Bray-Miners, J., Runciman, R. J., & Groendyk, N. (2014). Methods and instrumentation for the biomechanical analysis of slalom water skiing. Proceedings of the institution of mechanical engineers part p-journal of sports engineering and technology, 228(2), 75–85. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754337113520150
Hayati, A. N., Ghaffari, H., & Shams, M. (2016). Analysis of free-surface effects on swimming by the application of the computational fluid dynamics method. Proceedings of the institution of mechanical engineers part p-journal of sports engineering and technology, 230(3), 135–148. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754337115598488
Debertin, D., Haag, L., & Federolf, P. (2024). IMU Data-Driven and PCA-Based Approach to Establish Quantifiable and Practically Applicable Measures for V2 Technique Elements in Cross-Country Skiing. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 34(7), e14691. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14691
Meyers, M. C., Laurent, C. M., Higgins, R. W., & Skelly, W. A. (2007). Downhill ski injuries in children and adolescents. Sports medicine, 37(6), 485–499. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200737060-00003
Grimsmo, J., Maehlum, S., Moelstad, P., & Arnesen, H. (2011). Mortality and cardiovascular morbidity among long-term endurance male cross country skiers followed for 28-30 years. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 21(6), E351–E358. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2011.01307.x
Barth, M., Platzer, H.-P., Giger, A., Nachbauer, W., & Schroecksnadel, P. (2021). Acute on-snow severe injury events in elite alpine ski racing from 1997 to 2019: The Injury Surveillance System of the Austrian Ski Federation. British journal of sports medicine, 55(11), 589–595. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102752
Kemler, E., Valkenberg, H., & Gouttebarge, V. (2019). Stimulating injury-preventive behaviour in sports: The systematic development of two interventions. BMC sports science medicine and rehabilitation, 11(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-019-0134-8
Nagle, K. B. (2015). Cross-Country Skiing Injuries and Training Methods. Current sports medicine reports, 14(6), 442–447. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000205
Oh, H., Johnson, W., & Syrop, I. P. (2019). Winter Adaptive Sports Participation, Injuries, and Equipment. Sports medicine and arthroscopy review, 27(2), 56–59. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSA.0000000000000236
Zhao, Y., Zhao, W., Yin, X., Ma, X., & Qu, S. (2023). Sports knee joint injury in ski training and its prevention. Revista brasileira de medicina do esporte, 29, e2022_0217. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-8692202329012022_0217
Karstrom, A., Swaren, M., & Bjorklund, G. (2024). Discrepancies in internal and external training load measurements during low-intensity biathlon training. Frontiers in sports and active living, 6, 1455900. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1455900
Sandbakk, O., Rasdal, V., Braten, S., Moen, F., & Ettema, G. (2016). How Do World-Class Nordic Combined Athletes Differ From Specialized Cross-Country Skiers and Ski Jumpers in Sport-Specific Capacity and Training Characteristics? International journal of sports physiology and performance, 11(7), 899–906. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2015-0285
Sandbakk, O., & Holmberg, H.-C. (2017). Physiological Capacity and Training Routines of Elite Cross-Country Skiers: Approaching the Upper Limits of Human Endurance. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 12(8), 1003–1011. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2016-0749
Morawetz, D., Duennwald, T., Faulhaber, M., Gatterer, H., Hoellrigl, L., Raschner, C., & Schobersberger, W. (2020). Can Hyperoxic Preconditioning in Normobaric Hypoxia (3500 m) Improve All-Out Exercise Performance in Highly Skilled Skiers? A Randomized Crossover Study. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 15(3), 346–353. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0016
Romer, T., Hansen, M. T., Frandsen, J., Larsen, S., Dela, F., & Helge, J. W. (2020). The relationship between peak fat oxidation and prolonged double-poling endurance exercise performance. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 30(11), 2044–2056. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13769
Priymak, S., Krutsevich, T., Pangelova, N., Trachuk, S., Kravchenko, T., Stepanenko, V., & Ruban, V. (2021). Modeling of functional support of sports activities of biathletes of different qualifications. Journal of human sport and exercise, 16(1), 136–146. https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2021.161.12
Aalberg, M., Roaas, T. V., Aune, M. A., Bjerke, O., & Aune, T. K. (2022). In Pursuit of a Comprehensive Understanding of Expertise Development: A Comparison between Paths to World-Class Performance in Complex Technical vs. Endurance Demanding Sports. Sports, 10(2), 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports10020016
Solsona, R., Sabater Pastor, F., Normand-Gravier, T., Borrani, F., & Sanchez, A. M. (2024). Sprint training in hypoxia and with blood flow restriction: Controversies and perspectives. Journal of sports sciences, 1-15.. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2416839
Tonnessen, E., Sandbakk, O., Sandbakk, S. B., Seiler, S., & Haugen, T. (2024). Training Session Models in Endurance Sports: A Norwegian Perspective on Best Practice Recommendations. Sports medicine, 54(11), 2935–2953. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-024-02067-4
Beattie, K., Kenny, I. C., Lyons, M., & Carson, B. P. (2015). The Effect of Strength Training on Performance in Endurance Athletes. Sports medicine, 44(6), 845–865. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0157-y
Ronnestad, B. R., Hansen, J., Thyli, V., Bakken, T. A., & Sandbakk, O. (2016). 5-week block periodization increases aerobic power in elite cross-country skiers. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 26(2), 140–146. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12418
Sandbakk, O. (2018). Practical implementation of strength training to improve the performance of world-class cross-country skiers. Kinesiology, 50, 155–162. https://hrcak.srce.hr/ojs/index.php/kinesiology/article/view/6420/3389
Sollie, O., Holmsen, K., Steinbo, C., Ommundsen, Y., & Losnegard, T. (2021). Observational vs coaching feedback on non-dominant whole-body motor skill performance—Application to technique training. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 31(11), 2103–2114. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14030
Stoeggl, T., & Holmberg, H.-C. (2022). A Systematic Review of the Effects of Strength and Power Training on Performance in Cross-Country Skiers. Journal of sports science and medicine, 21(4), 555–579. https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2022.555
Debertin, D., Wachholz, F., Mikut, R., & Federolf, P. (2022). Quantitative downhill skiing technique analysis according to ski instruction curricula: A proof-of-concept study applying principal component analysis on wearable sensor data. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 10, 1003619. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.1003619
Mikkonen, R. S., Ihalainen, J. K., Hackney, A. C., & Hakkinen, K. (2024). Perspectives on Concurrent Strength and Endurance Training in Healthy Adult Females: A Systematic Review. Sports medicine, 54(3), 673–696. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01955-5
Belalcazar, C., Motz, D., Young, B. W., Rathwell, S., & Callary, B. (2024). Coach Mentorship Using the Adult-Oriented Sport Coaching Survey. International Sport Coaching Journal, 1(aop), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2024-0038
Wang, R., & Han, L. (2022). Influence of sports injuries and resistance training on skiers’bone mass. Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte, 29, e2022_0160. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-8692202329012022_0160
Torvinen, P., Ruotsalainen, K. S., Zhao, S., Cronin, N., Ohtonen, O., & Linnamo, V. (2024). Evaluation of 3D Markerless Motion Capture System Accuracy during Skate Skiing on a Treadmill. Bioengineering-basel, 11(2), 136. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11020136
Sarisik, D. C., & Sahin, F. N. (2024). Effects of a comprehensive warm-up program on performance parameters of elite and sub-elite male skiers. SPORT TK-revista euroamericana de ciencias del deporte, 13, 38. https://digitum.um.es/digitum/bitstream/10201/147564/1/Effects%20of%20a%20comprehensive%20warm-up%20program%20on%20performance.pdf
Sandbakk, O., Tonnessen, E., Sandbakk, S. B., Losnegard, T., Seiler, S., & Haugen, T. (2025). Best-Practice Training Characteristics Within Olympic Endurance Sports as Described by Norwegian World-Class Coaches. Sports medicine-open, 11(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-025-00848-3
Federolf, P., Reid, R., Gilgien, M., Haugen, P., & Smith, G. (2015). The application of principal component analysis to quantify technique in sports. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 24(3), 491–499. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2012.01455.x
Myklebust, H., Losnegard, T., & Hallen, J. (2015). Differences in V1 and V2 ski skating techniques described by accelerometers. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 24(6), 882–893. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12106
Kurpiers, N., McAlpine, P., & Kersting, U. G. (2020). A biomechanical field testing approach in snow sports: Case studies toward a detailed analysis of joint loading. Proceedings of the institution of mechanical engineers part p-journal of sports engineering and technology, 234(4), 337–346. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754337120918037
Hentschel, U., Steinbild, P. J., Dannemann, M., Schwaar, A., Modler, N., & Schuerer, A. (2021). Functional Design Employing Miniaturized Electronics with Wireless Signal Provision to a Smartphone for a Strain-Based Measuring System for Ski Poles. Computers, 10(6), 77. https://doi.org/10.3390/computers10060077
Brownlie, L. (2021). Aerodynamic drag reduction in winter sports: The quest for “free speed.” Proceedings of The institution of mechanical engineers part p-journal of sports engineering and technology, 235(4), 365–404. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754337120921091
Karstrom, M. J., Stoggl, T., Ohlsson, M. L., McGawley, K., & Laaksonen, M. S. (2023). Kinematical effects of rifle carriage on roller skiing in well-trained female and male biathletes. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 33(4), 444–454. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14276
Supej, M., & Holmberg, H. -c. (2021). Monitoring the Performance of Alpine Skiers with Inertial Motion Units: Practical and Methodological Considerations. Journal of science in sport and exercise, 3(3), 249–256. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-021-00108-2
Cross, M. R., Riviere, J. R., Van Hooren, B., Coulmy, N., Jimenez-Reyes, P., Morin, J.-B., & Samozino, P. (2021). The effect of countermovement on force production capacity depends on extension velocity: A study of alpine skiers and sprinters. Journal of sports sciences, 39(16), 1882–1892. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.1906523
Booth, F. W. (2015). Muscle adaptation to exercise: New Saltin’s paradigms. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 25, 49–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12595
Stoeggl, T., Pellegrini, B., & Holmberg, H.-C. (2018). Pacing and predictors of performance during cross-country skiing races: A systematic review. Journal of sport and health science, 7(4), 381–393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2018.09.005
Berryman, N., Mujika, I., & Bosquet, L. (2019). Concurrent Training for Sports Performance: The 2 Sides of the Medal. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 14(3), 279–285. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2018-0103
Parry, H., Buskqvist, A., Erlandsson, P., Ohrman, C., Lindblom, H., Ohlsson, M., & McGawley, K. (2021). The influence of a rocking-motion device built into classic cross-country roller-ski bindings on biomechanical, physiological and performance outcomes. Sports engineering, 24(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-021-00361-2
Nunnikhoven, H. B., Snyder, C., Kipp, R. W., Decker, M. J., & Seifert, J. G. (2021). The Influence of Ski Type on Muscle Activity, Performance, and Self-Efficacy in Young Alpine Ski Racers. Journal of science in sport and exercise, 3(3), 312–319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-021-00123-3
Sperlich, B., Matzka, M., & Holmberg, H.-C. (2023). The proportional distribution of training by elite endurance athletes at different intensities during different phases of the season. Frontiers in sports and active living, 5, 1258585. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1258585
Walther, J., Haugen, T., Solli, G. S., Tonnessen, E., & Sandbakk, O. (2024). The Evolvement of Session Design From Junior Age to Senior Peak Performance in World-Class Cross-Country Skiers. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 19(10), 1097–1106. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2023-0541
Oja, P., Memon, A. R., Titze, S., Jurakic, D., Chen, S.-T., Shrestha, N., Em, S., Matolic, T., Vasankari, T., Heinonen, A., Grgic, J., Koski, P., Kokko, S., Kelly, P., Foster, C., Podnar, H., & Pedisic, Z. (2024). Health Benefits of Different Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal and Intervention Studies Including 2.6 Million Adult Participants. Sports medicine-open, 10(1), 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-024-00692-x
Nilsson, R., Theos, A., Lindberg, A.-S., & Malm, C. (2025). Predicting competitive alpine skiing performance by multivariable statistics-the need for individual profiling. Frontiers in sports and active living, 6, 1505482. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1505482
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Тетяна Сидорова, Вікторія Горіна, Тетяна Гриньова, Марина Пруднікова, Андрій Єфременко
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
- Authors grant the journal a right of the first publication of the work under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0)that allows others freely to use (read, copy and print) submissions, search content and link to published articles, disseminate their full text and use them for any legitimate non-commercial purposes (i.e. educational or scientific) with the mandatory reference to the article’s authors and initial publication in this journal.
- Original published articles cannot be used by users (exept authors) for commercial purposes or distributed by third-party intermediary organizations for a fee.
