Difference in Agility, Strength, and Flexibility in Competitive Figure Skaters Based on Level of Expertise and Skating Discipline

Abstract

Slater, LV, Vriner, M, Zapalo, P, Arbour, K, and Hart, JM. Difference in agility, strength, and flexibility in competitive figure skaters based on level of expertise and skating discipline. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3321-3328, 2016-Figure skating is an extremely difficult sport that requires a combination of grace, artistry, flexibility, speed, and power. Although many skaters are involved with strength and conditioning programs, there is no current information about differences in off-ice performance measures based on skating discipline and level. The purpose of this study was to compare agility, strength, and flexibility performance based on skating discipline and level. A total of 343 figure skaters from 4 different disciplines (singles, dance, pair, and synchronized skating) and 3 different levels (novice, junior, and senior) completed combine testing with the United States Figure Skating Association. All subjects completed the hexagon agility test, t-test, triple bound jumps, vertical jump, timed tuck jumps, push-ups, v-ups, hand press, front split, seated reach, and stork pose. A multivariate analysis of variance with Scheffe's post hoc was used to identify differences in performance based on skating discipline and level. Mean differences, Cohen's d effect sizes, and 95% confidence intervals were reported for all significant differences. Senior and junior skaters tended to be faster and stronger than novice skaters. Singles, dance, and pair skaters tended to be more agile, stronger, and flexible than synchronized skaters, however, senior synchronized skaters tended to perform better than senior skaters in other disciplines. These results indicate that strength and conditioning professionals should consider skating discipline and level when designing strengthening programs for figure skaters.

The kinematics of handwriting movements as expression of cognitive and sensorimotor impairments in people with multiple sclerosis

“…The grip strength is often used as an indicator of overall body muscular strength since it is easy to measure and correlates with the total muscle strength 53 . Here, increasing grip strength corresponded to fast writing movements, confirming previous evidences of the influence of muscle strength on movement speed both in healthy 54 and in patients 55 populations.…”

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS PARAMETERS OF FIGURE SKATING ATHLETESi

“…It is important to monitor physical characteristics and physical fitness tests during talent scanning, selection, and management of talented athletes in terms of determining specific reference values. In studies conducted in this sport with standard tests (Slater, et al, 2016;Mostaert, Deconinck, Pion, & Lenoir, 2016;Bower, Kraemer, Potteiger, Volek, Hatfield, Vingren, Spiering, Fragala, Ho, Thomas, Earp, Häkkinen, & Maresh, 2010), Eurofit test battery and sports-specific tests were used. In a comprehensive study conducted in different disciplines (singles, pairs, ice dance, synchronized) and levels (novice, junior and senior) (10-33 years old, N=347) (Slater, et al, 2016); hexagon test, t-test, maximal vertical jump test, alternating triple bound jump, tuck jumps, push-ups, v-ups, hand press, front split, flexibility (sit and reach) and balance (stork pose) tests were performed.…”

“…Trainings outside the ice also support movement difficulties in ice. To perform the desired elements on ice, athletes also participate in fitness programs that include strength, agility, and flexibility (Slater, Vriner, Zapalo, Arbour, & Hard, 2016). Long flight phases during which technical elements are performed, explosive power and also speed of the lower extremity muscles are needed and the execution of these elements, in turn, require excellent motor coordination and postural control (Mostaert, Deconinck, Pion, & Lenoir, 2016).…”

Physiological and technical commitment during a 300-m in-line skating trial in athletes of different age categories

“…Skating performance is influenced by many factors comprising strength, technique, pacing and level of experience. [1][2][3][4] High levels of maximum strength of the lower limbs are necessary in this discipline as skaters assume a markedly squatted position to reduce of air friction, with small angles at both the hip and knee joints. 5,6 Skaters with higher strength and explosive power of the lower limbs perform better in terms of skating time and speed.…”

“…Physiological aspects and technical features during skating widely differ between beginners and elite athletes, suggesting that also the level of experience may affect skating performance. 4,5 In sport activities, motor development progressively switches and narrows from an initial technical learning (6-12 years) to a specific practice activity (13-15 years) and development of expertise (from 16 years on), as a function of age and level of experience. 14 Similarly, somato-functional maturation contributes to the increase in maximal force development during a specific action.…”