Effects of Recreational Ski Mountaineering on Cumulative Muscle Fatigue - A Longitudinal Trial.

Simon Haslinger,David Morawetz,Nico Schlickum,Cornelia Blank,Wolfgang Schobersberger,Arnold Koller,Sarah Berger,Tobias Dünnwald

doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01687

Abstract

Sport is known to have many positive effects on mental and physical health. High-intensity exercise is considered to decrease muscle strength and induce muscle fatigue, which is associated with a higher risk of injury. In recreational alpine skiers, a decrease of eccentric peak hamstring torque, as an indication of muscle fatigue, occurs even after 1 day of skiing. The popularity of ski mountaineering is increasing enormously, but no studies are available on its effects on muscle strength. Therefore, the present study examined the consequences of ski mountaineering on muscle fatigue of the concentric/eccentric quadriceps and/or hamstrings. In addition, a possible role of myofascial foam rolling in reducing muscle fatigue was evaluated. Fifty recreational ski mountaineers (27 males, 23 females) completed five consecutive tours of ski mountaineering within 1 week. After each day of skiing, participants underwent an isokinetic muscle test assessing the concentric and eccentric muscle strength of both thighs. One group completed an additional session of myofascial foam rolling. Right and left concentric quadriceps peak torque, left hamstrings peak torque, left eccentric quadriceps peak torque, as well as right and left hamstring peak torque, were reduced after a single day of ski mountaineering (p ≤ 0.016 for all). However, no cumulative muscle fatigue was detected and we could not demonstrate any effect of myofascial foam rolling. The results show conclusively that a single day of ski mountaineering leads to a significant decrease of concentric and eccentric quadriceps and hamstring strength. Therefore, in order to improve muscle strength for the ski mountaineering season, a physical training program including concentric and eccentric methods can be recommended.

Highlights

Sport is considered to have a positive effect on physical well-being (Amlani and Munir, 2014)
Inclusion criteria were being aged between 40 and 65 years, having an above average skiing level based on a score between 6 and 9 on a visual analog scale (VAS) for skiing (0: “no skiing skills” to 10 “excellent skiing under all terrain and snow conditions”), a minimum of uphill climbing with touring skis of 8000 m over the time period of the last 2 years, time available for a preliminary examination and a 1-week recreational ski mountaineering holiday, an exercise capacity of more than 110% based on a cycle ergometry (Lode B.V., Groningen, Netherlands; for details, refer to Koller et al, 2015) and medical approval based on the preliminary examination
Age, and maximum power according to weight and muscle strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings, did not significantly differ between IF and INF group (p > 0.15 to p < 0.99 for all)

Summary

Introduction

Sport is considered to have a positive effect on physical well-being (Amlani and Munir, 2014). There is some evidence that outdoor physical activity exerts additional positive effects on mental well-being (Thompson Coon et al, 2011). Negative effects of physical activity might occur due to the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Injuries were most frequently detected in soccer (49,600), alpine skiing and team sports (23,100 and 21,900, respectively) (Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit, 2016). Of all injuries recorded (i.e., in Austria), the most common are knee and ankle injuries (Habelt et al, 2011), with knee injuries being predominant in alpine skiing (Burtscher et al, 2009; Sulheim et al, 2011; Kim et al, 2012)

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