european college of sport science

IS-BM06 Biomechanics in Alpine Skiing
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MECHANICAL ENERGY DISSIPATION, MOVEMENT, AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS IN COMPETITIVE ALPINE
SKIING
REID, R., GILGIEN, M., KIPP, R., HAUGEN, P., SMITH, G.
NORWEGIAN SCHOOL OF SPORT SCIENCES
INTRODUCTION: In 2005, Supej et al. [1] introduced a method of computing the mechanical energy losses of a skier to his surroundings as
a measure of turn quality. Characterizing how elements of technique influence energy loss may help our understanding of how technique
and performance relate. The purpose of this study was to describe the time-course of ski and center of mass (COM) motion characteristics
and their relationships to both mechanical energy dissipation (EDISS) and performance in slalom.
METHODS: Six members of the Norwegian men’s national team were analyzed through 2 turns during race simulations on 2 courses set
with 10 and 13 m distances between gates. 3-D positions were captured from 4 cameras and control points distributed near the course
[2]. Skier mechanical energy was determined knowing COM velocity and altitude. EDISS was calculated by differentiating mechanical
energy with respect to altitude [1]. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to assess the relationship of instantaneous
measures of COM fore/aft position and outside ski attack angle (γSKI) with EDISS. Average fore/aft position, fore/aft range
of motion, amplitude of COM vertical motion and average initiation phase γSKI were compared to performance time using Spearman
rank correlation coefficients (ρ).
RESULTS: Skier fore/aft position correlated strongly with both performance (ρ=1.0) and EDISS (r=.73, p