INTRODUCTION: Recently, a new type of ski called a carving ski has become extremely popular. However, little scientific data exists regarding the effect of these skis on certain human factors. This study was designed to compare the muscular activity during skiing on two types of carving skis {skis with moderate sidecut; CARV1 and with large sidecut; CARV2) and the conventional alpine ski (CON) using quantitative Parameters of electromyography (EMG). METHOD: Four advanced skiers were the subjects used in this study. The EMG data accompanied by video recordings of 8 muscles (anterior tibialis, medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, adductors and erector spinae) were collected on the right side of the body. Isometric maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) were collected pre- and post-testing and provided a relative reference for the EMG amplitude during skiing. Information from a left turn where the right leg was on the outside of the turn was analyzed. Dependent variables were the average EMG amplitudes and the duration of each turn. RESULTS and DISCUSSION: Mean muscle activity (in % of MVC) of all muscles for each ski is depicted in Figure 1. For 6 of the 8 muscles, there was a decreasing trend in muscle activity from CON to CARV1 and CARV2. The medial gastrocnemius and biceps femoris went against the trend, with muscle activity that was greater in carving skis than conventional skis. The turning duration for each ski ts listed in Figure 2. Velocities during the skiing were greater with the carving ski than with the conventional ski. These results indicate that the carving ski is beneficial to middle aged skiers and women skiers whose muscle strength is somewhat weak and that it has the potential to significantly alter incidence and type of skiing injuries. CONCLUSION: Carving skiing showed a lower mean muscle activity in all muscles investigated and more an economical expenditure of muscular efforts than with the conventional ski. Also, this information has implications for conditioning, whether from a performance or rehabilitation perspective.
© Copyright 2007 4th International Congress on Science and Skiing. Veröffentlicht von University of Salzburg. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.