INTRODUCTION: The starting motion in ski cross (SX) can be described as an explosive upper-body movement that requires the athlete to accelerate out of the start gate by pulling on two handles. The start section is a key performance factor for SX competitions (Argüelles et al., 2011). Therefore, this study aimed to compare upper-body strength during the start movement with a sport-specific performance esting tool between gender in elite SX athletes in laboratory conditions. METHODS: 12 athletes (f = 4; m = 8) of the Swiss SX World Cup team were tested. Each athlete performed three to four starts. Three-dimensional force sensors in both handles were used to quantify muscular strength. Pre force - defined as force on handles before the start gate opens - of each athlete was standardized to 3 N/kg. RESULTS: 45 starts were analyzed. Male athletes generated a significantly higher relative maximum force (f = 18.20 N/kg, m = 20.23 N/kg), rate of force development (f = 2619.20 N/s; m = 3947.30 N/s) and impulse (f = 498.48 Ns; m = 695.87 Ns) (p < .05). There was no significant difference in relative maximum force in direction of travel (f = 16.46 N/kg; m = 16.72 N/kg) and time to maximum force (f = .48 s; m = .50 s). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that male athletes generate more force and explosive strength than female athletes. Whereas female athletes lose less force in direction of travel than male athletes. This study contributes to the understanding of sex-differences in the upper-body strength of SX athletes during the start movement and may help to develop reference values.
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