Int J Sports Med 2003; 24(8): 571-575
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-43270
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Physical and Physiological Factors Associated with Success in Professional Alpine Skiing

G.  Neumayr1 , H.  Hoertnagl1 , R.  Pfister1 , A.  Koller1 , G.  Eibl2 , E.  Raas1
  • 1Institute of Sports Medicine and Cardiovascular Medicine, University Clinics of Innsbruck, Austria
  • 2Department of Biostatistics, University of Innsbruck, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: February 24, 2003

Publication Date:
04 November 2003 (online)

Abstract

Scientific data on the physiological profile of world class skiers are sparse. During the last decade the Austria Ski Team was the most successful in the world. It was the objective of this study to describe the physical and physiological characteristics of World Cup (WC) skiers. Twenty female and 28 male members of the Austrian WC Ski Team were examined pre- and post-seasonally from 1997 to 2000. Physical parameters such as age, height, body mass, body mass index, percent body fat and thigh circumference were recorded from each athlete. The physiological variables investigated consisted in the aerobic power and in the muscle strength of the lower limbs. Racing performance was defined by the WC ranking position. The athlete’s aerobic performance capacity was assessed by maximal exercise testing on a bicycle ergometer, and the isokinetic muscle strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles by the use of a computer-interfaced dynamometer. From 1997 to 2000 about half (48 %; n = 106) of all alpine WC racing events (n = 221) were won by the athletes investigated. The typical world class skier is in the mid-twenties (25.2 y [♀]; 27.6 y [♂]). The mean values for height were 1.66 m (♀) vs. 1.81 m (♂), for body mass 65.1 kg (f) vs. 87 kg (♂) and for the percentage of body fat 24.5 % (♀) vs. 15.8 % (♂). The maximum power output was 4.3 ± 0.4 (♀) and 4.7 ± 0.4 W/kg (♂), the corresponding values for V·O2max were 55 ± 3.5 (♀) and 60 ± 4.7 ml/kg/min (♂). The maximal values for peak torque and work for knee extension amounted to 206 ± 21 (♀) and 334 ± 43 Nm (♂), and 2690 ± 364 (♀) and 4414 ± 629 J (♂), respectively. In both sexes there were neither significant laterality nor dysbalance. The hamstring/quadriceps ratios were between 0.57 - 0.60. Among all physical and physiological variables, only the aerobic power in males was found to be strongly correlated (r = 0.947; p = 0.001 for Wmax; r = 0.964; p < 0.001 for V·O2max) to racing performance. The study proves the practical experience that success in professional alpine skiing is not related to single physiological variables. Two main factors, however, are crucial, i. e. high levels of aerobic power and muscle strength.

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G. Neumayr MD 

Institute of Sports Medicine and Cardiovascular Medicine · University Clinics of Innsbruck

Anichstraße 35 · 6020 Innsbruck · Austria ·

Phone: +39 0474 917111

Fax: +39 0474 917171

Email: guenther.neumayr@sb-bruneck.it