INTRODUCTION: Specific physical characteristics may be required for optimal performance in the different alpine skiing events varying in speed, duration and turning frequency. This ongoing study aims to describe the specific somatotype and physical characteristics in Slalom (SL) versus super-G and downhill (SG&DH) World Cup (WC) and Europa Cup (EC) male and female alpine skiers. METHOD: In cooperation with different national ski federations, alpine skiers (males n = 33, females n = 15) of their respective WC and EC teams participated in this study. Anthropometric data were collected following standardized procedures, allowing calculation of the somatotype using the Somatotype software (Sweat Technologies, 2001). Body composition was estimated using Bio Impedance Analysis (TANITA TBF-611). FIS-points at the time of data collection were used to identify SL or SG&DH specialists. SL versus SG&DH groups were compared using an independent samples t-test at the 5% significance level. RESULTS: Table 1 shows FIS-points, age and anthropometric characteristics of the participants. None of the variables under investigation differed between SL and SG&DH skiers within both genders. Male skiers in both SL and SG&DH, and female SL skiers are endomorphic mesomorphs while female SG&DH skiers are endomorph mesomorphs. DISCUSSION: In both SL and SG&DH skiers, a high degree of endomorphy and mesomorphy was observed. This is a typical characteristic in strength athletes. A high muscularity is a necessity in all alpine ski events, while a relatively high degree of body fatness could be functional as it may support the effect of gravity. CONCLUSION: The work hypothesis assuming event-specific physical characteristics was not supported by the preliminary results of this ongoing study. Elite alpine skiers are characterized by a high musculo-skeletal development in all events.
© Copyright 2010 Book of Abstracts. 5th International Congress on Science and Skiing, Dec. 14 - 19, 2010, St. Christoph am Arlberg. Veröffentlicht von University of Salzburg, Interfakultärer Fachbereich Sport- und Bewegungswissenschaft/USI. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.