Balance, Basic Anthropometrics and Performance in Young Alpine Skiers; Longitudinal Analysis of the Associations During Two Competitive Seasons

Abstract

Balance is hypothesized to be important in alpine skiing, while it is known that balance depends on anthropometric indices. The aim of this investigation was to explore the association between balance, anthropometrics and skiing-results over two competitive seasons among youth alpine-skiers. Eighty-one skiers (40 females) participated in this study. The participants were tested twice over two competitive seasons: when they were 12-13 years old (U14) and when they were 14-15 years old (U16). The variables consisted of anthropometrics (body height and body mass) and three balance indexes (medio-lateral-, anterio-posterior- and overall-stability-index). Additionally, skiing results in U14 and U16 were evaluated. The balance status did not change significantly over the observed period of time regardless of the significant changes in body mass and height. The relationships between balance and skiing results were higher in the U14 (Pearson’s r = 0.45-0.54) than in the U16 (Pearson’s r = 0.05-0.28). The relationships between anthropometrics and competitive results were generally stronger in girls (Pearson’s r = 0.39-0.88) than in boys (Pearson’s r = 0.26-0.58). After clustering athletes into three achievement groups on a basis of their competitive performance, discriminant canonical analysis showed that relationships between balance and skiing results decreased, while the relationships between anthropometrics and skiing results increased over the two observed seasons. This study highlighted the importance of balance in youth alpine skiing in the age range of 11-14 years.

Potential Health Benefits From Downhill Skiing

“…Two studies on young adults (students, age 20–22, novice, and intermediate skiing skills) after a 7-day skiing intervention (Wojtyczek et al, 2014) and on adolescents (age 14, novice skiers) after a 5-day intervention (Camliguney, 2013) reported improved balance skills, however, due to missing control groups these results have to be interpreted with caution. Conversely, additional balance training in physical education students with no initial skiing experience improved their skiing after a 2-week skiing intervention (Malliou et al, 2004) and in young (age 11–14) skiing athletes better balance correlated with better skiing results (Lesnik et al, 2017). In a cross-sectional study Noe and Paillard compared postural performance between regional and national level male alpine skiers (age 17–25) in eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions and with and without wearing ski boots (Noe and Paillard, 2005).…”

Inline Skating as an Additional Activity for Alpine Skiing: The Role of the Outside Leg in Short Turn Performance

“…In addition, the pattern of shifting the center of mass and maintaining a dynamic balance was similar when executing short parallel turns in observed activities. This suggests a positive transfer from developing dynamic balance on skates to applying it when executing turns in AS [27].…”

Recreational Alpine Skiing An Introduction

“…In other words, good balance improves skiing performance and skiing improves balance. Also, as a beginner, do not ski when there is fog or snow or other weather conditions that obstructs line of sight which leads to worsened balance [10]. Not only does skiing improve balance, balance also improves skiing as it prevents injury, particularly for competitive skiers [11].…”