The Effect of Neuroathletic Training on Physical Performance and Position Sense in Cross-country Skiers

Cross-country skiing is the least dangerous but tiring winter sport performed in snowy environments with different heights, distances, and slopes using ski equipment such as skis, shoes, and poles with various features. In this sport, both the lower and upper body require rapid power production and high maximal oxygen consumption. When technique, conditioning, and skill are combined in cross-country skiing, the resulting performance reaches the highest level. In order for an athlete to perform well, they must have the capacity to produce power continuously and quickly. Cross-country skiing is often associated with the development of strength, speed, agility, balance, endurance, fatigue resistance, and oxygen capacity. Physical training alone is not enough for an athlete to achieve high success. Physical training must be combined with the visual system, vestibular system, and proprioceptive system. The quality of the stimuli coming from these systems in an athlete positively affects the athlete's physical performance and success in competitions. Therefore, in addition to the physical training that the athlete will do, neuro-athletic training that stimulates the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems will be implemented in the cross-country skiing sports branch, considering that it can increase the athlete's performance by improving muscle strength, core endurance, balance, and proprioceptive sense. The sample of the study will consist of 26 cross-country skiing athletes between the ages of 12-18 who participate in training at the Arkut Cross-Country and Biathlon Center. The athletes will be randomly divided into 2 groups by coin toss method. All athletes will participate in routine training. Neuroathletic training will be given to one group in addition to routine training, and its effect on the athletes' performance will be examined.