Biomechanical P ... Slalom Water Skiing R1.pdf - Atrium - University ...

ski manufacturers ability to compare ski designs, which would lead to advancements inproduct design.It is not only important to consider the performance parameters independently but alsohow they interact with each other. It is hypothesized that a higher resultant in one of theparameters is due to a higher resultant of another. For example, higher peak roll will leadto higher deceleration, which in turn leads to higher rope load and acceleration. To helpidentify which of the parameters are dependent on others, it is necessary to break downthe different phases of a slalom cut and what reactions are taking place in each phase.Maximizing personal performance is a goal that both recreational and competitive slalomskiers have and they often require coaching to achieve it. A results based coachingstructure has been developed by Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada that uses a set oftechniques to improve a skiers ability to complete successful turns in a slalom course (T.Van Winkle, personal communication, August 15, 2011). The coach is responsible forunderstanding the required technique so they can evaluate skier performance and assess ifthere is a problem and what is causing it [Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada, 2011].Visual methods are most commonly used by coaches to evaluate performance and theeffectiveness of this type of coaching philosophy depends on the accuracy of theirevaluation. Quantitative data collected from a skier in a slalom course could be used as anadditional tool for coaches to assess performance and improve the accuracy of theirevaluation. Therefore, it would improve the coaching capabilities in the water skiindustry.83