INTRODUCTION: Alpine skiing requires muscular strength, aerobic and anaerobic power, and a variety of complex motor abilities. The objective of this study was to describe the physiologtcal profile of a large number of elite male alpine skiers over 10 consecutive years. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2006, 98 Swiss male alpine skiers (age: 22±3 yr; height 179±5 cm; weight 83±6 kg) selected for World Cup and Europe Cup races participated to a total number of ~400 test sessions, including anthropometric, muscle strength, aerobic and anaerobic power assessment. The following main outcomes were quantified: 1. body weight and % body fat (skinfolds); 2. maximal aerobic power (MAP) during an incremental cycling test; 3.squat jump power (SJP) and % height toss during repeated jumping (45 s); 4. isokinetic quadriceps (Q), hamstring and trunk extensor (TE) muscle strength. All power and strength data were expressed relative to body weight. For each outcome, mean values were plotted as a function of time (Fig. 1). A simple linear regression was fitted to the points, and the slope and R2 were obtained (absolute and % data). A one-way ANOVA was used to confirm the significance of changes (P<0.05). RESULTS: The main results are shown in Table 1. Despite decreased body fat content (P<0.001), body weight did not change significantly throughout the period. Hamstring muscle strength was unchanged, while hamstring/Q ratio increased significantly from 1997 to 2006. DISCUSSION: In the last few years, increased aerobic power but reduced muscle strength and anaerobic power (both alactic and lactic) have been observed in alpine skiers from the national Swiss team. These findings could be attributed to changes in training procedures (aerobic vs. anaerobic components) and/or equipment characteristics (ski length and stiffness). It remains to be determined whether these physiological changes could be generalized to non-Swiss elite alpine skiers as well as their influence on actual skiing performance. CONCLUSION: The physiological profile of elite alpine skiers has changed progressively over the past 10 years. Today's Swiss elite skiers present greater aerobic power and lower anaerobic power and muscle strength compared to their counterparts 5-10 years ago.
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