INTRODUCTION: Bosco (1997) developed a power endurance test for ski racers, suggesting that speed endurance measured with jumps is the most important physical capacity for skiers. The question of how to train for power endurance has been often raised. One opinion is that higher maximal strength and power in the weight room will improve power endurance on the ski hill. In the summer of 2010 coaches focused more on maximum strength and power training. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the relative power and power endurance capacities of Austrian female ski racers in 2010 to 2008 and 2009. METHODS: Nine female members of the Austrian Ski Federation alpine ski team were tested in the offseason in 2008, 2009 and 2010 (mean age in 2008 was 20.4 ± 3.4). The athletes performed continuous counter movement jumps (CMJ) on a force platform (SPSport) with a loaded barbell equivalent to 20% of the athlete's bodyweight. The athletes jumped every 2.5 seconds (test duration was 2 minutes), pausing briefly between jumps to avoid reactive jumps. Ground reaction force data were used to calculate relative power of each CMJ. The mean relative power (Pmean) of all CMJs during the test was calculated. A linear regression was used to express the power of each CMJ as a function of the starting power (Pstart) and the change in power during the test (Pslope). A one way ANOVA (repeated measures) was used (SPSS 15.0) to determine if Pmean, Pstart and Pslope differed over the years. Post-hoc tests with the Bonferroni correction were used to further examine differences between 2010 and the other 2 years for each variable. Level of significiance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Pmean in 2010 (27.7 ± 2.3 W/kg) was significantly greater than in 2009 (25.4 ± 2.2 W/kg), and in 2008 (25.7 ± 3.1 W/kg). Pslope did not change significantly from year to year. Pstart was not significantly different when comparing 2008 to 2009, but Pstart in 2010 was significantly greater than in 2008 and 2009. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION: The power improved in 2010 (Figure 1). Pmean in 2010 was greater than the two previous years. The summer training in 2010 focused more on maximum strength and power than in the recent past. This change in training was reflected in positive changes in the power endurance test, with better starting power and better mean power. When this test is used to evaluate training, the long term training process of these athletes has been effective. The most important test however, is the racing season, when improved power endurance optimally transfers into better race results.
© Copyright 2012 Science and Skiing V. 5th International Congress on Science and Skiing, Dec. 14 - 19, 2010, St. Christoph am Arlberg. Published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd.. All rights reserved.