Snowboard Athletes Research Articles

Research on the Relationship Between Ski and Snowboard Athletes’ Fear of Failure and Their Sport Enjoyment and Goal Orientation

Enjoying sport is a critical factor in understanding the sources of athletes’ enthusiasm for sport, creating enjoyable sport experiences for young athletes, maintaining their participation in sport, and setting specific goals. It is well known that fear of failure is amongst the main motivational problems on the path to achieving set goals. The inability to eliminate the fear of failure can lead to a decline in the level of fulfilment, satisfaction, and pleasure, interfering with the achievement of goals set by the athlete for a specific purpose. From this point of view, the aim of our study is to examine the effects of ski and snowboard athletes’ enjoyment of sport and goal orientation on their fear of failure in terms of various variables. This study is quantitative research in which the correlational survey model was applied. The Sources of Sports Enjoyment Scale (SSEE) adapted to Turkish by Çimen and Gürbüz (2008), the Task and Ego Orientation Scale (TEOS) adapted to Turkish by Toros (2004), and The Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory translated into Turkish by Kahraman and Sungur (2016) were used. The population of the study consists of ski and snowboard athletes in Turkey, while the sample group consists of a total of 124 ski and snowboard athletes 72 of whom are male and 25 of whom are female randomly selected from various ski clubs. Significant differences were found in all sub-scales of the participants’ gender variable and sports failure scale, and in both sub-scales of participation level variable and goal orientation. Positive moderate linear relationships were observed between sources of goal orientation, ego orientation and enjoyment of sport, and between ego orientation and goal orientation. Regarding the Failure in Sports scale, the female participants who regularly attended the trainings had, on average, higher scores on the "Participation Level" variable and the "Goal Orientation" scale. As the sources of sports enjoyment increase, goal orientation and ego orientation also increase. As ego orientation increases, goal orientation also increases.Keywords: Fear of Failure, Goal Orientation, Sports, Enjoyment

Multiligament knee injuries in winter sports athletes

Multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs) are severe injuries that involve complete or partial tear to multiple ligaments of the knee, such as the cruciate ligaments, collateral ligaments, as well as structures such as the posteromedial and posterolateral corners. These injuries often occur as a result of high-energy trauma in motor vehicle accidents, but can also occur during sports activities such as a fall or collision while skiing or snowboarding. Diagnosis of an MLKI can be challenging due to the multifaceted nature of these injuries, and a comprehensive evaluation, including a thorough history, physical examination, and imaging studies, is necessary. Imaging methods, such as plain and stress radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging, are often used to confirm the diagnosis and assist in the establishment of a treatment plan. Treatment of MLKIs commonly involves surgical repair or reconstruction of torn ligaments and capsular structures, followed by lengthy rehabilitation focused on mobility, strength, and improving knee function. Return to sport is a concern, especially for those with many ligaments torn and those involving both cruciate ligaments and/or those involving the posterolateral corner. Prevention of MLKIs in skiing and snowboarding is important, and proper technique, equipment, risk awareness, and strengthening exercises can help reduce the risk of injury. While much is known about knee injuries in skiers, further research is needed to better understand MLKIs in ski and snowboard athletes, including the incidence, optimal management, and return to sport rates.

Effects of six weeks of sub-plateau cold environment training on physical functioning and athletic ability in elite parallel giant slalom snowboard athletes.

Hypoxic and cold environments have been shown to improve the function and performance of athletes. However, it is unclear whether the combination of subalpine conditions and cold temperatures may have a greater effect. The present study aims to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of training in a sub-plateau cold environment on the physical function and athletic ability of elite parallel giant slalom snowboard athletes. Nine elite athletes (four males and five females) participated in the study. The athletes underwent 6 weeks of high intensity ski-specific technical training (150 min/session, six times/week) and medium-intensity physical training (120 min/session, six times/week) prior to the Beijing 2021 Winter Olympic Games test competition. The physiological and biochemical parameters were collected from elbow venous blood samples after each 2-week session to assess the athletes' physical functional status. The athletes' athletic ability was evaluated by measuring their maximal oxygen uptake, Wingate 30 s anaerobic capacity, 30 m sprint run, and race performance. Measurements were taken before and after participating in the training program for six weeks. The repeated measure ANOVA was used to test the overall differences of blood physiological and biochemical indicators. For indicators with significant time main effects, post-hoc tests were conducted using the least significant difference (LSD) method. The paired-samples t-test was used to analyze changes in athletic ability indicators before and after training. (1) There was a significant overall time effect for red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) in males; there was also a significant effect on the percentage of lymphocytes (LY%), serum testosterone (T), and testosterone to cortisol ratio (T/C) in females (p<0.001-0.015, ). In addition, a significant time effect was also found for blood urea(BU), serum creatine kinase (CK), and serum cortisol levels in both male and female athletes (p=0.001-0.029, ). (2) BU and CK levels in males and LY% in females were all significantly higher at week 6 (p=0.001-0.038), while WBC in males was significantly lower (p=0.030). T and T/C were significantly lower in females at week 2 compared to pre-training (p=0.007, 0.008, respectively), while cortisol (C) was significantly higher in males and females at weeks 2 and 4 (p (male)=0.015, 0.004, respectively; p (female)=0.024, 0.030, respectively). (3) There was a noticeable increase in relative maximal oxygen uptake, Wingate 30 s relative average anaerobic power, 30 m sprint run performance, and race performance in comparison to the pre-training measurements (p<0.001-0.027). Six weeks of sub-plateau cold environment training may improve physical functioning and promote aerobic and anaerobic capacity for parallel giant slalom snowboard athletes. Furthermore, male athletes had a greater improvement of physical functioning and athletic ability when trained in sub-plateau cold environments.

Motives for the Use or Not of Protective Equipment for the Recreational Practice of Skiing and Snowboarding in Spanish Winter Stations.

The objective of this research was to analyze the motives for using or not using protections by recreational ski and snowboard athletes, specifically regarding gender and age in the winter resorts of Sierra Nevada and Alto Campoo (Spain). A total of 520 users participated in Sierra Nevada (n = 306 (58,8%)) and Alto Campoo (n = 214 (42.2%)); 257 of them were men (49.4%) and 263 (50.6%) were women; from 6 to 50 years old; classified by 4 stages of development (Childhood (n = 106 (20.4%); Teenagers (n = 110 (21.2%); Young adults (n = 101 (19.4%); Adults (n = 203 (39.0%)). For the data collection an ad hoc questionnaire was used (socio-demographic data, use/no use of protection, motives for the use). The data revealed that 76.5% used protections equipment, with the women being more likely to use protective equipment than men. Regarding age, young adults and adults were the ones using less protection. In relation to the motives of using protective equipment, security was the main motive for using it, while the reason to avoid using it was, most of the time, discomfort. Additionally, the childhood and teenager groups were the ones who reported, as motivation, family obligation, showing the importance of the influence of the parents.

Evidence-Based Strength and Conditioning Plan for Freestyle Snowboarding Athletes

ABSTRACT Competitive snowboarding (SB) has rapidly grown in popularity since its introduction into the Olympics in 1998. This growth has seen a significant increase in trick difficulty and the associated physical demands required for success. Despite the increase in physical requirements, there are currently no evidence-based recommendations that incorporate strength and conditioning or injury prevention programs. This article draws on current research that details the physical demands of SB and integrates relevant strength and conditioning principles to create an evidence-based training plan. This plan highlights the essential physical attributes for snowboard athletes that are important for successful performance and mitigating injury risk.

Role of physique and physical fitness in the balance of Korean national snowboard athletes

BackgroundThe objective of this study is to understand the relationship between physique, physical fitness, and balance performance for snowboard athletes. MethodsWe considered all Korean national snowboard athletes (n = 9 with 6 males and 3 females, age = 17.44 ± 4.42), who have an experience of competition at continental cup level, to measure their physique, physical fitness, and (both static and dynamic) balance. Static balance was evaluated based on one-legged standing, while dynamic balance was estimated using a stability platform. ResultsStatic balance is strongly correlated (p < 0.05) with circumference of the left lower leg (34.49 ± 2.42 cm; ρ = 0.68), sit-up (57.56 ± 8.8; ρ = 0.72), sargent jump (50.22 ± 11.78 cm; ρ = 0.67), strength of bench press (39.11 ± 17.73 kg; ρ = 0.67), angle of left ankle dorsiflexion (73.78 ± 7.86°; ρ = 0.77), average extension strength at 180° for left knee (321 ± 63.95 %BW; ρ = 0.77) and right knee (337 ± 60.32 %BW; ρ = 0.77), and right knee peak flexion strength at 60° (148 ± 25.61 %BW; ρ = 0.73). Center dynamic balance is negatively correlated with circumference of the right lower leg (34.63 ± 2.38 cm; ρ = −0.67, p < 0.05), while right dynamic balance is positively correlated with left ankle flexion (148.44 ± 5.20°; ρ = 0.78, p < 0.05). ConclusionStatic balance is related to core muscle endurance and power, ankle flexibility, and knee stability, while dynamic balance is negatively correlated with circumference of the most frequently used lower leg (i.e., the leg dominating the snowboarding stance). The relationship between physique, physical fitness, and balance provides an insight into improving the balance performance of elite snowboard athletes through a training program that can affect the physique and physical fitness factors related to balance.

Investigation of Behaviour Styles of the Coaches of Athletes Who Competed at 2018 Snowboard Cross World Cup

Coaches are one of the leading people who have a role in athletes' success. Physical and physiological characteristics of many elite athletes are close to each other. The most important psychological factor as the distinguishing element bringing success is the coaches' behavioral approaches to their athletes. It is important to find out the behavioural styles of the coaches of athletes who are representing their countries in international organizations and who are showing top level performance in increasing their countries' success. In this sense, the purpose of this study is to analyze the coaching behaviour styles of the coaches of snowboard cross athletes representing their countries in the world cup. The study is a descriptive study in the model of survey. 3-item personal information form developed by the researcher and Coaching Behaviour Scale for Sport- CBS-S consisting of 7 factors and 47 items were used as data collection tool. The scale was given to 68 of 97 athletes competing for different countries in Snowboard Cross World Cup that was held in Erzurum/ Turkey in January 2018. Percentage, frequency, mean and average values were used in the analysis of data. Various difference tests were used to find out the differences between variables. 24 female and 44 male athletes participated in the study. Average age of the athletes was found as 25,16±4,53. No significant difference was found in terms of the variables of age, gender and the continent athletes participated from and it was found that athletes assessed the positive behavioural styles of coaches in very high levels (6,98±1,21), while they assessed their negative coaching behaviours in very low levels (1,08±0,14). According to the results obtained, it is recommended for behavioural styles of coaches assessed within the context of similar researches to be applied to other sport branches.

Head impact velocities in FIS World Cup snowboarders and freestyle skiers: Do real-life impacts exceed helmet testing standards?

IntroductionPrior to the 2013–2014 season, the International Ski Federation (FIS) increased the helmet testing speed from a minimum requirement of 5.4 to 6.8 m/s for alpine downhill, super-G and giant...

The acute effect of maximal voluntary isometric contraction pull on start gate performance of snowboard and ski cross athletes

This study investigated whether adding a maximal voluntary isometric contraction to developing snowboard and ski cross athletes’ warm-up could reduce start time. A secondary aim was to assess the appropriateness of start performance as a talent identification tool for junior athletes by determining whether differences in time could be explained by participant age and anthropometry. Twenty sub-elite athletes (male: n = 11, female: n = 9, age: 15.0 ± 1.4 years) participated. No differences were found for start time (7.5 m) between maximal voluntary isometric contraction and standardised (no-maximal voluntary isometric contraction) warm-up or gender (maximal voluntary isometric contraction; males: 1.36 ± 0.07 s, females: 1.41 ± 0.03 s, no-maximal voluntary isometric contraction; males: 1.35 ± 0.01 s, females: 1.38 ± 0.10 s, P &gt; 0.05). A strong relationship between body mass and start time to 7.5 m ( r = −0.78, r2 = 0.61, P &lt; 0.05) was observed. Use of maximal voluntary isometric contraction-based warm-ups with developing snowboard cross and ski cross athletes may not be beneficial to improving performance.

Strength Asymmetry Between Front and Rear Leg in Elite Snowboard Athletes.

To examine possible bilateral strength asymmetries between the front (FL) and the rear leg (RL) in elite snowboard athletes due to the imposed asymmetrical position on the board. Observational study. Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan. Thirty-three elite male snowboarders: 12 alpine athletes (SBalp), 11 snowboardcross athletes (SBx), and 10 freestyle athletes (SBfs). Open and closed kinetic chain exercises. Maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) and vertical jump force (VJFT). Only SBalp athletes presented MVC and VJFT values in RL 9.9% and 11.3% greater than the corresponding value in FL (P < 0.001), respectively. No significant differences were observed in SBx and SBfs. A muscle strength asymmetry between FL and RL was detected only in elite SBalp. This asymmetry is lower than the ±15% cutoff interval used to define clinically relevant bilateral strength asymmetry and is likely to be explained by technical aspects. Indeed, only SBalp athletes naturally distributed the center of mass, and thus, the weight toward RL to have a good board control. This feature likely reflects a greater adaptation of the muscle characteristics.

The Influence of Sports Supplements on the Blood Indexes of Snowboard Athletes

It is a scientific monitoring of the snowboard function of athletes a nutrition intervention to improve athletic performance and provide experimental evidence. This study selected a race against China′s national team athletes, the experiment of 9-week training and nutrition intervention at the same time and take blood samples before to research the influence of sports supplements on the blood indexes of snowboard athletes.

INJURY RATE AND INJURY PATTERN AMONG ELITE WORLD CUP SNOWBOARDERS: A 6-YEAR COHORT STUDY

BackgroundThere is limited knowledge on the injury rate and injury pattern in the different disciplines among elite snowboarders.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe and compare the injury rate...

Injury rate and injury pattern among elite World Cup snowboarders: a 6-year cohort study

BackgroundThere is limited knowledge on the injury rate and injury pattern in the different disciplines among elite snowboarders.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe and compare the injury rate...

Injuries among World Cup ski and snowboard athletes

There is little information available on injuries to World Cup skiers and snowboarders. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the injury risk to World Cup athletes in alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, ski jumping, Nordic combined and cross country skiing. We performed retrospective interviews with the International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup athletes from selected nations during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 winter seasons and recorded all acute injuries occurring during the seasons. We interviewed 2121 athletes and recorded 705 injuries. There were 520 (72%) time-loss injuries and 196 (28%) severe injuries (absence >28 days). In freestyle skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding, there were 27.6, 29.8 and 37.8 time-loss and 14.4, 11.3 and 13.8 severe injuries per 100 athletes per season, respectively. In Nordic combined, ski jumping and cross country skiing, there were 15.8, 13.6 and 6.3 time-loss and 3.3, 5.6 and 0.7 severe injuries per 100 athletes per season, respectively. In conclusion about 1/3 of the World Cup alpine, freestyle and snowboard athletes sustain a time-loss injury each season, while the risk is low in the Nordic disciplines. A particular concern was the high proportion of severe injuries observed among alpine, freestyle and snowboard athletes, which is in contrast to most other sports.

Effects of Long-Term Training on the Pulmonary Function of Outstanding U-Half Pipe Snowboard Athletes

Through measuring the respiratory function of 17 outstanding U-Half Pipe snowboard athletes, compared with the normal students，to understand the basic conditions of their respiratory system. The results showed that: there were higher levels in the expiratory volume (EV) and expiratory reserve volume (RV) of female snowboard skiers than that of normal students; there were higher levels in small airway ventilation and pulmonary ventilation (PV) of outstanding U-Half Pipe snowboard athletes than that of normal students; the FEV1/FVC of outstanding U-Half Pipe snowboard athletes were below 80%.

What is more dangerous – football, skiing or snowboarding?

BackgroundIt is well known that professional football has a high injury risk. The FIS Injury Surveillance System increases our knowledge of injuries to elite skiers and snowboarders. But what is...

Injuries among Competitive Snowboarders at the National Elite Level

Background Little is known about injury risk or the pattern of injuries among competitive snowboarders. Purpose To describe the incidence and pattern of injuries among female and male snowboard athletes at the highest national level. Study Design Descriptive epidemiology study Methods This study consists of 2 parts: prospective registration of injuries at snowboarding national cup events and the national championships during the 2002 season, as well as a retrospective interview of the participants during the national championships in March 2002. All injuries that resulted in missed participation were recorded. Exposure was recorded as the number of runs in all disciplines. Results In the prospective study, the competition incidence was 4.0 ± 0.7 injuries per 1000 runs (n = 32 injuries). Back (22%), knee (16%), and hand/wrist injuries (9%) were the most common. The incidence for the different disciplines was 14.2 ± 5.3 per 1000 runs for big jump, 6.1 ± 1.8 for snowboardcross, 3.1 ± 0.9 for halfpipe, and 1.9 ± 1.9 for giant slalom. The retrospective interview (n = 163 athletes, 83% response) revealed 84 acute time-loss injuries during the season; knee (16%), back (13%), head (13%), and hand/wrist injuries (12%) were the 4 most common injury types. The overall competition incidence was 3.4 ± 0.6 injuries per 1000 runs (6.6 ± 3.0 for big jump, 5.8 ± 1.7 for snowboardcross, 2.1 ± 0.7 for halfpipe, and 6.6 ± 4.7 for giant slalom). No injury was recorded in parallel slalom in either study. Conclusion The incidence of injuries is high among competitive snowboarders at the elite national level. The injury pattern is different from the panorama seen among less experienced athletes, with fewer wrist injuries and more knee injuries.

INJURIES AMONG COMPETITIVE SNOWBOARDERS AT THE NATIONAL ELITE LEVEL

Even though snowboard has become a popular sport rewarded with Olympic recognition, little is know about injury risk or the pattern of injuries among competitive snowboarders. In unselected materials, injuries to the wrist are frequent, representing more than 30% of all injuries. PURPOSE To describe the incidence and pattern of injuries among female and male snowboard athletes at the highest national level. METHODS Prospective registration of injuries at National Cup events (including the National Championship) during the 2002 season, as well as a retrospective interview of the participants during the National Championships March 2002. All injuries that resulted in medical assistance or missed participation were recorded. Exposure was recorded as the number of runs in all disciplines. RESULTS A total of 1465 participants took part in the 22 competitions of the prospective study (n = 8200 runs), and 32 injuries were recorded. There were 7 back (22%, 6 concussions), 5 knee (16%), 4 shoulder (13%) and 3 hand/wrist injuries (9%). The incidences for the different disciplines were: 14.2 per 1000 runs for big jump (n = 7), 6.1 for snowboardcross (n = 11, ns. vs big jump), 3.1 for halfpipe (n = 13, p < 0.001 vs big jump), 1.9 for giant slalom (n = 1, p < 0.05 vs big jump). No injury was recorded in parallel slalom. There was no difference in injury incidence between junior and senior athletes or between genders. The interview (n = 163 athletes, 83% response) revealed 90 injuries during the season with 15 knee injuries (17%), 11 back injuries (12%), 11 head injuries (12%), 9 shoulder injuries (10%) and 10 hand/wrist injuries (9%). Most of these injuries (69%) occurred outside competition. CONCLUSION The incidence of injuries among competitive snowboarders at the national top level is high, especially for big jump. The pattern of injuries is different from the panorama of injuries seen among less experienced athletes with fewer wrist injuries and moire knee injuries.