Aim To 1) investigate whether a 10-week in-season resistance training program focusing on the lower body could induce improvements in strength and power characteristics. 2) A secondary objective was to provide an overview of practical decision-making considerations for designing academy freeski programs during the skiing season. Methods Thirteen male academy freeski athletes (age, 17.3±1.4 yr; stature, 1.77±0.04 m; body mass, 71.4±5 kg; and body mass index 23.3±1.1 kg/m2) participated in the study. A repetitions in reserve resist ance training approach (including a combination of bilateral and unilateral knee and hip domi nant exercises) were implemented and performed twice per week. Unilateral isometric absolute leg peak force, countermovement jump height, drop jump height, drop jump contact time, and drop jump reactive strength were assessed. Within-subjects pre and post testing changes were assessed using a paired t-test. Results Greater left and right absolute peak leg forces were observed from pre-testing to post-testing (1590N±212 to 1767N±174 and 1633N±199.5 to 1756N±204.5, respectively; both p<.001). Signifi cant improvements were also observed regarding countermovement jump height (41cm±4.7 to 44.25cm±5.5, p<.001), drop jump height (36.5 cm±5.7 to 39.05cm±6.8, p<.002), drop jump contact time (180ms±18.3 to 168ms±20, p<.04) and drop jump reactive strength index (2.06±0.4 to 2.4±0.5, p<.001). Practical applications This study demonstrated that the inclusion of a 10-week in-season resistance training interven tion elicited significant improvements in lower-body maximal strength and power characteris tics. A multifaceted approach to athletic development is recommended for developmental coach es working with freeski academy athletes
© Copyright 2022 Book of Abstracts. 4th Nordic Winter Sports Conference "Performance in snow sports: Translating science into practice" 3rd-4th October, 2022, Mid Sweden University, Campus Östersund, Sweden. Published by Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre at Mid Sweden University. All rights reserved.