Performance Parameters in Competitive Alpine Skiing Disciplines of Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super-Giant Slalom.

Lidia B Alejo,Jaime Hortal-Fondón,Archit Navandar,David Barranco-Gil,Jaime Gil-Cabrera,Almudena Montalvo-Pérez

doi:10.3390/ijerph18052628

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the kinematic patterns and impacts in male and female skiers in the super-giant slalom, giant slalom and slalom disciplines of an international alpine skiing competition using a portable Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technology device. Fifteen skiers (males, n = 9, females, n = 6) volunteered to participate in this study. Data acquisition was carried out using a wireless inertial measurement device (WIMUTM PRO: hybrid location system GNSS at 18 Hz with a precision locator UltraWideband UWD (<10 cm) and 3D accelerometers 1000 Hz) where distances covered in different speed and acceleration thresholds and impacts above 5g were recorded in each of the disciplines. Male and female alpine skiers showed different physical parameters and impacts even though they competed in the same courses in the disciplines of slalom, giant slalom and super-giant slalom (total impacts: p < 0.001; impacts > 7 g: p = 0.013; impacts 6.1–7 g: p = 0.002; impacts 5.1–6 g: p = 0.006). In male skiers, the distances traveled at different speed thresholds have a direct relation to the ranking of skiers, but this ideal threshold decreased as the technicality of the discipline increased. In the case of female skiers, although no relation was seen with the speed thresholds, greater distances covered at medium accelerations improved skiing performance. The external load in alpine skiing varied based on sex and discipline. This information could be essential to develop sex-specific and discipline-specific training programs in alpine skiing.

Highlights

The results indicate that the distances covered by the skiers in different speed thresholds have a direct bearing on their final ranking, and these correlations vary based on the discipline of alpine skiing—this being the first study in which this outcome has been evaluated
Male and female alpine skiers showed different physical parameters and impacts even though they competed in the same courses in the disciplines of slalom, giant slalom and super-giant slalom
The distances traveled at different speed thresholds has a direct relation to the ranking of skiers, but this ideal threshold decreases as the technicality of the discipline increases

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Alpine skiing, have increased in popularity all over the world, with around 400 million people worldwide visiting a ski resort in 2019 [1]. Skiing has formed an important part of Winter Olympics, with different events such as alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, nordic combined, freestyle skiing and snowboarding forming a part of the Olympic discipline [2]. Alpine skiing, is one of the oldest forms of skiing, being a part of the Winter Olympics since 1924 and is one of the most popular of all the skiing disciplines [3]

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Discussion

Conclusion