The Physiology of Contemporary Olympic Cross-Country Mountain Biking: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Olympic Cross-Country (XCO) mountain biking has evolved since its 1996 Olympic debut, with races becoming up to 40% shorter and more technically demanding. These changes may have altered the physiological demands, challenging the applicability of earlier evidence. This systematic review examines the physiology of contemporary XCO, focusing on athletes' characteristics, race demands, and training interventions.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase. Fifty-three studies involving national to elite-level XCO athletes competing under the current race format were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tool.

Results

Findings highlight that XCO athletes maintain exceptional aerobic cap

SUBMITTER: Protzen G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12936250 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature