Physiological Aspects and Injury in Elite Alpine Skiers

Abstract

Alpine skiing requires aerobic and anaerobic power, muscular strength, and a variety of complex motor abilities including quickness, agility, balance and coordination. There is evidence of variability in physical characteristics between skiers of different events. Generally, successful alpine competitors are taller and heavier than in the past. Greater size, specifically lean mass, may be related to technique changes because of the advent of breakaway poles. Aerobic power, although important, does not discriminate competitors of varying ability categories. Aerobic power is more likely to be a result of conditioning for alpine skiing rather than a profound requirement of the sport. Anaerobic power is important for skiing and both laboratory and field power tests correlate well with performance. Tests that measure explosive and sustained anaerobic power such as the Wingate, vertical jump, 60-second repeated jump, and Margaria-Kalamen stair run are valuable in assessing skiers. On-snow lactate and oxygen consumption measurements further substantiate the need for high anaerobic power. Alpine skiers have very high leg strength compared with other athletes. Isokinetic testing has been used to evaluate dynamic leg strength in skiers, but little is known about high speed dynamic or eccentric strength capabilities. A new mechanism of knee injury that is associated with tibial acceleration has been identified in competitive alpine skiers. A release binding that is sensitive to physiological factors in addition to release forces should be developed. Strength profiling of skiers may also be valuable in evaluating injury risk.