Snow Skiing Research Articles

Potential impacts of climate change on the spatial distribution of Chinese ski resorts

Chinese skiing tourism is rapidly developing, but it will be potentially affected by snow resources and climate conditions. This study systematically analysed the spatial characteristics of snow resources, climatic conditions and ski resorts in China; revealed the potential impacts of climatic environment on current ski resorts by using Regional Climate Model (RegCM4.4); and proposed suggestions for climate resource assessment and spatial planning of ski resorts. The mean snow depth and snow cover days are more than 4.50 cm and 150 d between the years 2000 and 2014, respectively, in high-latitude areas, where fewer ski resorts are located. In the middle-low latitude areas, the mean snow depth and snow cover days are less than 3.00 cm and 100 d, respectively, with ski resorts being intensively distributed. In most of these areas, the pronounced climate warming exceeded 0.50 °C during the ski period of 2009–2015 relative to 1961–2015, and mean annual precipitation was less than 800 mm, with some even less than 400 mm. In the 2030s and 2050s, the regions with drastic temperature increases are mainly in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, Northeast China, and the Yangtze River Basin. The upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River are expected to experience reduced snowfalland temperature increases with an almost 1–1.6 °C, respectively. In this context, some ski resorts will face major threats because of shortened skiing durations and rising management costs. Skiing tourism should not pursue a one-sided growth rate in the number of ski resorts in areas with short snowpack periods. Instead, it should rely highly on snow resources, climatic conditions, geographical environment, population and economic basis, and rationalise its spatial layout to promote the industry towards sustainable development.

EFEITOS DA ACELERAÇÃO SOBRE O NÍVEL DE HABILIDADE EM ESQUIADORES

ABSTRACT Introduction: In a “U” shaped field, the skier must take off using snow slides in a determined territory, using the distribution of his body mass over his feet to control the direction, completing a variety of complex movements inherent to aerial sports. Objective: Study the effect of acceleration on skiers’ skill levels. Methods: Peak moment angle and range of motion were measured in 12 U-shaped cross-country snow ski athletes with an average training period of over 5 years. The isokinetic muscle strength test parameters were analyzed with the characteristics and abilities inherent to the sport. The corresponding range of motion and the angle of acceleration were determined. The results were confronted with a literature search and discussed afterward. results: The peak torque and relative peak torque of the flexor and extensor muscle groups on both sides of the athletes’ hip and knee joints reduced with increasing angular velocity; the maximum peak torque of the extensors was significantly greater than that of the flexors at the same velocity (P﹤0.05). The current scientific literature predicted this inversely proportional relationship, but the angles obtained had not been explored. Conclusion: Athletes should pay attention to improving cognitive ability and active adjustment ability to complete their technical movements, promoting the development of controlled acceleration required by snow sports. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Epidemiology of Sports-Related Clavicle Fractures in the United States: Injuries From 2015 to 2019.

Background:Clavicle fractures are common orthopaedic injuries that frequently occur during sports and recreational activity.Purpose:To (1) determine the incidence rate of sports-related clavicle fractures among patients evaluated in emergency departments in the United States over a 5-year period, (2) determine the most common sports and risks associated with clavicle fractures, and (3) update the literature by comparing past and present injury trends.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database was queried for patients evaluated with clavicle fractures in US emergency departments from 2015 to 2019. The authors evaluated the data by age, sex, race, and sport/recreational activity. Injuries were characterized based on sports-specific mechanism of injury. Using the NEISS weighted multiplier, the authors estimated annual incidence rates based on US Census data. Contingency table comparisons of categorical variables (ie, age groups vs sex distributions) were analyzed using either chi-square or Fisher exact tests as appropriate for the population size, while continuous variable comparisons were performed using 1-way analysis of variance statistical testing.Results:A total of 2386 athletic-related clavicle fractures were evaluated at participating emergency departments, translating to 304,211 clavicle fractures, with an annual per-year injury rate of 18.72 clavicle fractures per 100,000 persons at risk (95% CI, 15.28-23.67). Male athletes had disproportionately higher injury rates than female athletes (P < .001) for every year of the study and demonstrated a higher incidence of fractures compared with female athletes (injury proportion ratio, 5.54). Patients aged 10 to 19 years accounted for the highest overall incidence of injury (64.5%). The annual incidence rate of athletic-related clavicle fractures was not significantly different during the study period (P = .24). The most common mechanisms of injury were participation in football (26.87%), soccer (15.76%), snowboarding (5.03%), bicycling (3.77%), wrestling (3.65%), and snow skiing (3.52%).Conclusion:Study findings indicated that clavicle fractures sustained during sports and recreational activity disproportionately affect male athletes. Adolescent populations (10-19 years of age) had the highest overall incidence of injury, and the most common activities associated with clavicle fractures were football and soccer.

To investigate the influencing factors on support for tourism development and perceived economic benefits in the context of ski tourism

ABSTRACT This study examines the effects of influencing factors on support for tourism development and perceived economic benefits including community attachment, emotional solidarity and interest for participation in snow ski tourism in Iran. In addition, the mediation role of perceived economic benefits between the influencing factors and support for tourism development is examined. The present study relies on a survey of 300 residents of Pooladkaf, a recently known snow ski resort in Iran where tourism is still at its emerging stage. Partial least squares – structural equation modelling has been employed to analyse the data. Evidence from the study indicates that emotional solidarity has positive effect on support for tourism development. However, the hypothesized path relationships between community attachment and resident’s interest in participation were not supported. The study also shows that emotional solidarity and interests have positive effects on perceived economic benefits, and indirectly on support for tourism development through perceived economic benefits. The study makes an important theoretical contribution to the extant literature by way of applying a revised framework of social exchange theory to investigate the effects of community attachment, emotional solidarity and interest in participation on perceived economic benefits and support for tourism development in the context of ski tourism.

A Social Network Analysis of Ski Research Topics in China

PURPOSE The purposes of this paper were to: (1) study the development process of skiing knowledge network and to understand the research focus and development trend of skiing in different periods, and (2) to analyze the sub areas of ski cohesion research. METHOD Using CiteSpace visualization software of bibliometrics, a social network analysis was conducted on a total of 325 papers on 14 sports professional core journals in China Knowledge Network (CNKI) from 1990 to 2019. RESULT The research results showed that the amount of articles on skiing topics has been increased rapidly and the ski research themes change over time. In last 10 years, the main focuses of the research were Winter Olympics, ski tourism, ski industry, freestyle skiing aerials and competitive sports. The Winter Olympics, ice and snow sports and ski industry are the current and future hot research topics and frontiers. The knowledge structure consists of eight theme fields, including Winter Olympics, ski resorts, ice and snow sports, ice and snow industry, ski tourism, sports management, freestyle skiing aerials and snowboarding u-track skiing. CONCLUSION First of all, in the past 30 years, keywords in the field of ski research have undergone great changes. The Winter Olympics and ski industry topics are the current and future key research trends. In-depth research on these two topics will be an important challenge for scholars. Secondly, keyword network analysis provides new ideas and research methods for exploring the structure and development trend of the skiing field.

Biomechanical determinants of cross-country skiing performance: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Cross-country skiing is a complex endurance sport requiring technical skills, in addition to considerable physiological and tactical abilities. This review aims to identify biomechanical factors that influence the performance of cross-country skiers. Four electronic databases were searched systematically for original articles in peer-reviewed journals addressing the relationship between biomechanical factors (including kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation) and performance while skiing on snow or roller skiing. Of the 46 articles included, 22 focused exclusively on the classical technique, 18 on the skating technique, and six on both. The indicators of performance were: results from actual or simulated races (9 articles); speed on specific tracts (6 articles); maximal or peak speed (11 articles); skiing economy or efficiency (11 articles); and grouping on the basis of performance or level of skill (12 articles). The main findings were that i) cycle length, most often considered as a major determinant of skiing speed, is also related to skiing economy and level of performance; ii) higher cycle rate related with maximal speed capacity, while self-selected cycle rate improves skiing economy at sub-maximal speeds; iii) cross-country skiing performance appears to be improved by joint, whole-body, ski, and pole kinematics that promote forward propulsion while minimizing unnecessary movement.

Dominant physical, physiological and anthropometric variables associated with the success of alpine skiers

Snow skiing is a game which requires almost all physical, physiological, anthropometric, biome Chanical and psychological parameters for improving performance of athletes. This study is related to those parameters which are of prominent importance for an athlete to improve his performance in snow skiing, especially in alpine skiing. In this study we are discussing only about physical, physiological and anthropometric variables helpful for skiers. Based on various studies we have chosen those variables which play a dominant role in improving performance or at least show ones peak performance. These variables are aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility, power, and body composition. On-hill snow training and dryland training programs should focus on the elevation of these fitness components.

Chapter 4 - Catastrophic neurologic injuries in sport

Tens of millions of children and adults participate in organized sport in the United States each year. Although uncommon, fatal and severe nonfatal brain and spine injuries can occur during these activities. These "catastrophic" injuries have been noted in contact sports such as football, rugby, and ice hockey, as well as in noncontact sports including baseball, cheerleading, swimming and diving, equestrian, gymnastics, pole vault, rodeo, snow skiing, snowboarding, and wrestling. They happen at all levels of play, from youth to professional. Among all sports, football has the highest number of fatal brain and cervical spine injuries. While these injuries are more frequent in high school football, the rate is higher amongst college football athletes. Patterns exist in the types of brain and spine injuries most often occurring as a result of traumatic impacts in sport, but incidence and mechanisms of injury vary dramatically between sports. Understanding these patterns is essential to informing prevention efforts; football, pole vault, and cheer are all examples of sports benefiting from successful catastrophic injury prevention efforts. Participating in sport provides many benefits to physical and mental health. Despite these benefits, rare devastating injuries can be traumatic for the athletes, their families, and communities and can raise safety concerns that may reduce participation in sport. Understanding and preventing these types of injuries are critical to fostering participation in sport and ensuring both children and adults reap the physical, social, and mental benefits of sport.

Epidemiology of Snow Skiing- Versus Snowboarding-Related Concussions Presenting to the Emergency Department in the United States from 2010 to 2014.

To examine the trend of concussions in skiers and snowboarders from 2010 to 2014; and to quantify and compare the incidence of concussions injuries in skiers and snowboarders who presented to emergency departments in the United States in 2014. Cross-sectional study of concussions in skiers and snowboarders who were evaluated in emergency departments in the United States. Incidence of concussions. The trend of the annual incidence of concussions for skiers and snowboarders remained stable from 2010 to 2014. An estimated total of 5388 skiing-related concussions and 5558 snowboarding-related concussions presented to emergency departments in the United States between January 1st, 2014, and December 31st, 2014. This represented an incidence of 16.9 concussions per 1 000 000 person-years for skiers and 17.4 concussions per 1 000 000 person-years for snowboarders. The incidence of concussions in the pediatric and young adult population of skiers was significantly higher than the incidence in the adult population. Similarly, the incidence of concussions in the pediatric and young adult population of snowboarders was significantly higher than the incidence in the adult population. The incidence of concussions was significantly higher in males compared with females in both skiing and snowboarding. The incidence of concussions from 2010 to 2014 plateaued in both skiers and snowboarders. Pediatric and young adult skiers and snowboarders had significantly higher incidences of concussion than the adult population. In contrast to the higher incidence of concussions in females in several sports including ice hockey, soccer, and basketball, the incidence of concussions was higher in males compared with females in both skiing and snowboarding.

High Altitude Hospitality

Most of the books and journals of hospitality and tourism, generally talk about history, trends and components of hospitality as a newly emerging discipline but there are a few books could only make significant contribution on the prospects, challenges and opportunities for hospitality especially in high altitudes where the challenges are ample. People would basically be interested to travel to altitudes to crave the places of adventures specially trekking, hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, snow skiing, etc. Providing hospitality in high altitudes is a very perplexing task where there is always a scarcity of man, material and management. Hochschild (2003) in his book The Managed Heart explains about the human factors that are important in providing hospitality services. The importance of feelings and its belongings on the offered services to the client and guests has a direct bearing on the overall experience and this experience is much important in high altitudes where the sentimental values are more important than the physical elements of a good service.Journal of Tourism and Hospitality EducationVol. 7, 2017, page : 62-82

Epidemiology of lower extremity injuries presenting to the emergency room in the United States: Snow skiing vs. snowboarding

PurposeTo quantify and compare the incidence of lower extremity injuries in skiers and snowboarders who present to emergency rooms in the United States. MethodsCross-sectional study of lower extremity injuries in skiers and snowboarders that were evaluated in emergency rooms in the United States. The National Electric Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database was queried from January 1st, 2014 and December 31st, 2014 and the reported cases of lower extremity injuries in skiers and snowboarders were examined. ResultsAn estimated total of 13,381 snow skiing and 6061 snowboarding lower extremity injuries presented to the emergency department in 2014 representing a national incidence of 42 injuries per 1,000,000 person-years for skiers and 19 injuries for snowboarders. The most common region of the lower extremity that was injured was the knee for skiers (47%) and the lower trunk (e.g. pelvis, hip, lumbar spine) for snowboarders (34%). The incidence of injuries in the pediatric and young adult population in skiers (62 per 1,000,000 person-years) and snowboarders (40 per 1,000,000 person-years) was significantly higher than the incidence of these injuries in adult population (35 and 12 per 1,000,000 person-years respectively) (P<0.01). The incidence of these injuries was significantly higher in males compared to females in both skiing (46 per 1,000,000 person-years vs. 38 per 1,000,000 person-years, P<0.01) and snowboarding (30 per 1,000,000 person-years vs. 9 per 1,000,000 person-years, P <0.01). The rate of injuries from 2010 to 2014 for skiers remained stable while snowboarding injuries down trended approaching significance. ConclusionThe incidence of lower extremity injuries in skiers was higher than that of snowboarders in 2014, with the 0–19year old age group and males being those most likely to sustain an injury. The most common region of the lower extremity that was injured was the knee for skiers and the lower trunk (e.g. pelvis, hip, lumbar spine) for snowboarders. Physicians and consumers alike should be aware of this data when considering participation in these sports as well as strategies for injury prevention.

Should I ski today? The economics of ski resort season passes

ABSTRACTA multistage decision process is involved when season ticket holders choose to go snow skiing. First, they decide whether to purchase the season ticket. After the ticket is purchased, each day of the season the skier decides whether to ‘hit the slopes’ that day. Empirical models are estimated to examine how prices affect the number of season tickets sold for different types of skiers and how snowfall, weekends and time of the season influence skier visits. The findings suggest that skiers will ski enough times to receive at least a 50% discount than the daily ticket price.

Behavioural adaptation of skiers to climatic variability and change in Ontario, Canada

Increasing research highlights the vulnerability of the alpine ski sector to climatic variability and change. The literature has focused predominantly on supply-side vulnerability, with limited insight into tourists’ behavioural response to marginal snow conditions and ski resort closures. Using an in-situ survey (n=2448), this study examines how skiers in Ontario (Canada) would change their participation patterns if their preferred ski resort were closed due to a lack of snow. The survey focuses on current behavioural responses, rather than decisions based on future scenarios of climate change. Results show that substitution behaviours (i.e., spatial, temporal, activity) differ pending whether the resort is closed for the day, closed until mid-season or closed permanently, with differences (p<0.05) recorded based on skier market segments. The results also indicate that beginner and infrequent skiers, as well as parents with children enroled in ski lessons, are more likely to either ski less and/or stop skiing altogether, while experienced and core skiers are more likely to engage in spatial substitution. Season pass holders and those at large resorts were also more likely to engage in spatial substitution. Managerial implications as a result of a likely shift in ski demand patterns in Ontario are discussed, with future research needs identified to appraise the differential community-level consequences and future climate adaptation strategies of ski tourism. Management implicationsThe behavioural response of skiers to changing climatic conditions will be a decisive factor in the vulnerability and sustainability of ski tourism. Fundamental to assessing the contemporary climate risk of the multi-billion dollar ski industry, as well as to estimate how future climate change could alter demand patterns in regional ski tourism marketplaces, is to understand skiers’ behavioural adaptation to inter-annual climate variability. As skiers engage in behavioural substitution (temporal, spatial, activity), a shift in ski demand patterns is likely. Skiers will concentrate at resorts that remain climatically operable, which will have important management implications with respect to individual resort capacity, visitor experience (e.g., crowding), and consequent impacts on surrounding ski area businesses and communities. Climatically advantaged ski areas and communities will need to prepare for development pressures, including investments in ski terrain expansion and infrastructure to increase snowmaking capacity (including water access and storage), as well as ease increased crowding on trails, in parking lots, inside chalets and lift lines. The results from this study offer decision support to ski resort operators and local tourism officials concerned about how their visitors will respond to changing climatic conditions and the implications for local economic development and real-estate.

Hip and Knee Dislocations in Extreme Sports: A Six Year National Epidemiologic Study

Objectives: Participation in extreme sports has been rapidly increasing in the United States. These sports are associated with a significant risk of injury and even mortality. Hip and knee dislocations represent high impact injuries with potentially serious complications if not treated promptly. There is currently little literature describing the epidemiology of these injuries in extreme sports. The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the incidence rates of hip and knee dislocations in 7 popular extreme sports using a publicly available database. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was used to determine estimated numbers of hip and knee dislocations in 7 extreme sports, from 2007-2012. The Outdoor Foundation data was used to determine participation in these sports. Incidence rates for the various injuries were calculated. Results: There were 9,369.30 estimated knee dislocations and 742.02 estimated hip over this study period. The incidence rates of knee and hip dislocations for all seven sports were 29.12 and 2.09 per 1 million person-year. These injuries were more common among males, and most occurred in participants between 10-19 years old. Snow skiing and snowboarding had the highest rates of knee and hip dislocations respectively. Conclusions: This study provides baseline data for hip and knee dislocations in participants of extreme sports. These injuries occurred most commonly in males and 10-19 year olds. Awareness of these injuries among extreme sports participants is important as they represent serious injuries, with potentially devastating complications if not managed promptly and properly.

Skiing in Gulmarg: Opportunities and Challenges

Tourism provides various attractions for tourists in the form of natural spots, built places, sports and games. Skiing is one of the attractions that is basically done in snow slopes of various tourism destinations around the world. Gulmarg in Kashmir is an all season destination providing various attractions and scenic views throughout the year. In summers, it turns into a meadow of flowers and in winters into a white gold destination. Skiing in Gulmarg is one of the most important winter sports. Its natural slopes, powdery snow, easy accessibility, highest and natural ski slopes, etc, provide the conditions of an ideal ski destination for all types of skiers. It is in this connection the study has been done to analyze the flow of visitors and skiers to Gulmarg and to evaluate the related requisite infrastructure there. The various opportunities that are available to Gulmarg to emerge as an international ski destination and the various challenges that are in this regard are studied through this research work. The study is primarily based on primary data although secondary data have also been used to complete the study. The outcome of the study is that Gulmarg can emerge as a leading Ski destination of the world provided it keeps pace with the technology and keeps control on pollution.

The postconcussion syndrome in sports and recreation: clinical features and demography in 138 athletes.

There are still many unanswered questions about postconcussion syndrome (PCS) in sports and recreation. The predictors of PCS are unknown, although a history of previous concussion has been suspected. To explore the clinical features and demography of PCS in athletes. A retrospective cohort study was performed by chart review of clinical and demographic data of 285 consecutive concussed patients, 138 of whom had sports-related PCS based on ≥ 3 postconcussion symptoms lasting ≥ 1 month. The 138 athletes with PCS averaged 22.8 years of age, and 70 (50.7%) were ≤ 18 years of age. They averaged 3.4 concussions (range, 1 to > 12). Only 19.6% had no previous concussion. There was a history of previous psychiatric condition, attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder, learning disability, or previous migraine headaches in 21.0%. Ice hockey caused the highest number of the most recent concussions at 72 cases (52.2%). Soccer, snow skiing, equestrian sports, and basketball were less frequent causes. The average number of persistent symptoms was 7.6, and the median duration of PCS was 6 months at the first examination. More than 80% of PCS cases had at least 1 other previous concussion. Half of the athletes with PCS were ≤ 18 years of age. PCS was associated with 7.6 symptoms per athlete. The duration of PCS and the number of symptoms were not related to the number of previous concussions, loss of consciousness, or return to play. Further research on treatment and prevention of PCS is required.

Measurement of Compacted Snow Cutting Forces for Analysis and Design of a Snow Ski and a Snowboard

Measurement of Compacted Snow Cutting Forces for Analysis and Design of a Snow Ski and a Snowboard

From snow skiing to grass skiing: implications of climate change for the ski industry in Dizin, Iran

This paper is concerned with climate change and its implications, making particular reference to Dizin in Iran which is one of the country's leading snow ski resorts. The impacts of climate change on ski businesses are examined, alongside the consequences for local communities, their economies, and overall sustainability. In addition, attention is given to responses by affected enterprises and other stakeholders to the problems caused by falls in demand for snow skiing due to decreasing snow cover attributed to global warming. Adaptive strategies focus on marketing and product diversification with attempts to develop other nature-based pursuits throughout the year as an alternative to that of skiing, but there are concerns about the future among those who rely on snow skiers for a livelihood. Findings are derived from original research incorporating 30 interviews with those involved in the ski industry in Dizin, including residents from a nearby village.

And the Winners Are …

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Additional informationNotes on contributorsStephen MorrisStephen Morris lives in England and developed his interest in mathematics as a student at Oxford University. He is a regular contributor to the Math Factor podcast, where problem 1 first appeared as “A Day At the Races.” Other interests include playing the guitar and following the fortunes of England's cricket team. His Twitter handle is @stevestyle. Email:stephenmor@gmail.comRichard StongRichard Stong is currently a researcher at the Center for Communications Research in La Jolla, California. His mathematical interests include combinatorics and four- dimensional topology. Email:stong@ccrwest.orgStan WagonStan Wagon is a professor of mathematics at Macalester College, where his main interest is in using the power of modern software to visualize abstract mathematical concepts. Among his mathematical books are The Banach-Tarski Paradox, Mathematica in Action, and VisualDSolve. Other interests include geometric snow sculpture, ski mountaineering, and mushroom hunting. He is more likely to be found racing on skis or on his square-wheeled bicycle than on horseback. Email:wagon@macalester.edu

The simulation of complex whole-body activity. Simulator design considerations and methodological parameters

This paper reports on the novel design and user-trialling of a prototype device to simulate the muscular coordination and sensations of a complex whole body activity with particular reference to snow skiing. Simulation and its benefits are well documented in the fields of aviation and medicine. However, there is little published evidence that simulation is effective in acquiring complex whole-body skills and control necessary in the sporting arena. In scope, this paper covers development of a machine for simulating down-hill skiing. The aims of this research were twofold: Firstly, to design and construct a machine to simulate the physical and sensory aspects of down-hill skiing; and secondly, to user trial and evaluate the effectiveness of this device using expert skiers. The paper begins with an introduction and brief literature search, followed by details of the design process involved in the development of the actual simulator. The results of the user trials have found a significant agreement between the simulated and actual physical and sensory aspects of whole body activity in the field of snow skiing.