Physical and physiological factors associated with success in professional alpine skiing.

摘要: Scientific data on the physiological profile of world class skiers are sparse. During last decade Austria Ski Team was most successful in world. It objective this study to describe physical and characteristics World Cup (WC) skiers. Twenty female 28 male members Austrian WC were examined pre- post-seasonally from 1997 2000. Physical parameters such as age, height, body mass, mass index, percent fat thigh circumference recorded each athlete. The variables investigated consisted aerobic power muscle strength lower limbs. Racing performance defined by ranking position. athlete's capacity assessed maximal exercise testing a bicycle ergometer, isokinetic knee extensor flexor muscles use computer-interfaced dynamometer. From 2000 about half (48 %; n = 106) all alpine racing events (n 221) won athletes investigated. typical skier is mid-twenties (25.2 y [female]; 27.6 [male]). mean values for height 1.66 m (female) vs. 1.81 (male), 65.1 kg 87 (male) percentage 24.5 % 15.8 (male). maximum output 4.3 +/- 0.4 (female ) 4.7 W/kg corresponding VO(2)max 55 3.5 60 ml/kg/min peak torque work extension amounted 206 21 334 43 Nm 2690 364 4414 629 J respectively. In both sexes there neither significant laterality nor dysbalance. hamstring/quadriceps ratios between 0.57 - 0.60. Among variables, only males found be strongly correlated (r 0.947; p 0.001 W (max); r 0.964; < VO(2)max) performance. proves practical experience that success professional skiing not related single variables. Two main factors, however, crucial, i. e. high levels strength.