Author(s): CHOLLET, M., HINTZY, F., BOWEN, M., MOREL, B., SAMOZINO, P., Institution: UNIVERSITÉ SAVOIE MONT BLANC, Country: FRANCE, Abstract-ID: 1737

INTRODUCTION:
In competition, there are four main alpine skiing events: slalom (SL), giant slalom (GS), super giant slalom (SG), and downhill (DH). Each event differs in race duration, turn number, turn radii and speed reached (1). Therefore, the average turn-by-turn forces and impulses the skier applies vary across events (2). The off-snow lower-limb isometric force has been previously shown to be related to skiing event-specific performance (3). Nevertheless, despite evidence demonstrating the appearance of fatigue after repeated turns (4), this study only focused on free-fatigue maximal force capacities without considering strength endurance capacities The latter can be characterized by the critical force, i.e. the maximal force which can be sustained without inducing acute fatigability. Therefore, the present study aimed to test the relationship between skiing event-specific performance and maximal isometric force, rate of force development and critical force.
METHODS:
Nineteen skiers (27 to 100 FIS points) participated in this study. Maximal isometric force (Fmax), maximal rate of force development (RFDmax), and critical force (CF) were assessed using an isometric leg press ergometer within the same session. CF was determined using a Ramp Above Critical Level Endurance Test (5). Briefly, this test consisted of repeated submaximal isometric 2s contractions spaced by 2s of rest during a 300s-decreasing ramp test from 80% to 0% of Fmax. Every 28s, maximal isometric force was assessed. Based on the model of Bowen et al. (6), CF was computed as the targeted force at the instant when the maximal isometric force stopped to decrease and started to recover. Performance indexes in each skiing event (SL, GS, SG, and DH) were defined as the FIS points for the 2022/2023 season. Multiple linear regressions were used to understand whether interindividual variability in each physical capacity (Fmax, RFDmax, and CF) explains variability in event-specific performance.
RESULTS:
SL performance was only and positively associated with RFDmax (model R2 = 0.41, p = 0.004). GS performance was only and positively associated with CF (model R2 = 0.36, p = 0.008). SG performance was only and positively associated with CF (model R2 = 0.37, p = 0.008). DH performance was positively associated with CF and Fmax (model R2 = 0.89, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrates specific associations between skiing performance and off-snow physical capacities. Performance is mainly explained by RFDmax in SL, CF in GS, CF in SG and both CF, and Fmax in DH. Physical capacities explained a higher part of skiing performance in DH compared to the other events. These results evidence the importance of strength endurance capacities in skiing performance and can help trainers and skiers in event-specific physical preparation.