Abstract
Alpine skiing is characterized by a great number of leg movements with muscle contractions in eccentric regime. The role of these movements is to absorb gravitation and inertial forces, manage skis more precisely and maintain balance. Recent studies have determined the volume, duration and intenisty of eccentric contractions as well as the basic characteristics of movement amplitudes and velocities. Based on the previous findings the experiments involving eccentric training using a bicycle ergometer confirmed a positive impact that this kind of training has on increasing maximum power, strength, endurance, coordination, injury prevention, metabolic work efficiency, more efficient work with longer muscle length and its role in miming skiers' movements. This paper is an review of the studies so far in the field of kinematics, skiing dynamics and the effect of eccentric training on the development of athletes' performances.
Highlights
Alpine skiing, either recreational or competitive, implies movements on skis down a slope, under the gravitation force, where a skier performs movements in order to change direction and control speed
The papers were selected by combining the key words: alpine skiing, strength training, and eccentric contraction
Eccentric contraction implies muscle work in the conditions where external load exceeds muscle power, which causes the lengthening of muscle-tendon system and muscles work in the so-called „eccentric regime-ECC“ (Lindstedt, Reich, Keim, & LaStayo, 2002)
Summary
Either recreational or competitive, implies movements on skis down a slope, under the gravitation force, where a skier performs movements in order to change direction and control speed. The movements are performed under conditions of concentric (CON), isometric (ISO) and eccentric (ECC) muscle contractions. Due to gravitation and inertion a great number of movements are performed under conditions of ECC regime of leg extensor muscle work (Berg & Eiken, 1999). The ability to control the power of knee extensor muscles in ECC regime may be a key limiting factor of the proper and successful skiing technique manifestation. The aim of this paper was to determine the adequate methods and means for enhancing the skiers’ leg strength, based on the findings about the importance of the eccentric regime of extensor muscle work during skiing. The papers were selected by combining the key words: alpine skiing, strength training, and eccentric contraction. The overview included the papers relevant for the topic published in the period between 1955 and July 2016
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