Changes in the balance performance of polish recreational skiers after seven days of alpine skiing

The influence of 15-weeks climbing program on the static and dynamic balance of young adults with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of climbing on static and dynamic balance and to determine the usefulness of such training in supporting the fitness of young adults with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities.

METHOD

The study involved 47 men and 21 women aged 18-25 years. The experimental group participated in classes on an artificial climbing wall for 15 weeks. At that time, the control group did not participate in any organised sports activities. The balance was assessed twice using tests: a bench walk, a functional reach, a single leg stance with the eyes open and closed, and a BTS P-WALK baroresistive platform.

RESULTS

In the experimental group there were improvements in functional reach test by 7.79 cm (p < .001), balance walk test by 0.47 pts (p = .003), improvements in frontal and sagittal plane stability, and tilting area in the closed eyes test. The changes that were observed in the control group were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Climbing activities can be part of a rehabilitation program to improve balance.

Inline Skating as an Additional Activity for Alpine Skiing: The Role of the Outside Leg in Short Turn Performance

The complexity of skiing movements urges recreational alpine skiers and competitors to undertake many specific skill trainings not only during the season but also during the off-season using alternative sports. In AS, the role of the outside leg is crucial for successful turn performance. By measuring kinematic and kinetic parameters, we could define whether there is an objective similarity of the role and the movements of the outside leg while performing a turn in AS to those in the most used additional activity, IS. The sample consisted of ten female alpine ski instructors (age 31.6 ± 8.23, height 170.66 ± 7.32 cm, weight 60.16 ± 7.58 kg). Overall, 280 turns were analyzed (140 for AS and 140 for IS). For the purposes of this study, the variable sample consisted of 14 variables in total. For the detection of differences between short turn performance in AS and IS, MANOVA was used. The main findings of our study are defined similarities in pressure distribution during IS and AS and noticeable differences in the kinematic parameters of the outside leg between the mentioned activities. Based on the gathered results, recreational alpine skiers should be aware that IS cannot be used for the purpose of AS adoption, but rather as a dry-land additional activity for AS preparation.

Effect of Skiing on Physical Performance, Pain, and Quality of Life Based on Gender

Context: Identifying gender-specific differentiation in each sport type is significant. In this way, sport- and gender-specific gains can be predicted. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of skiing on physical performance, pain, quality of life, and gender-based differentiation. Design: Crossover trial. Methods: Sixty-eight volunteers, between 18 and 25 years of age, with no history of severe trauma in the spine and extremities, participated in our study. The skiers group consisted of licensed athletes (17 males and 17 females) who did active skiing for at least the past 2 years, the control group consisted of nonathletic and age-matched participants with no skiing experience (17 males and 17 females). Step test, vertical jump test, Flamingo balance test, hand-grip strength, and back-leg-chest strength measurements were performed to evaluate physical performance. Visual Analog Scale, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire were used to evaluate pain experience. Quality of life was evaluated with Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results: Compared to the sedentary controls, VAS-activity and Oswestry Disability Index scores were lower; and aerobic performance, balance, hand-grip strength, back-leg-chest strength, and quality of life (SF-36-general health, SF-36-vitality, SF-36-mental health, and SF-total score) were higher in skiers. Skiing was found to be effective in eliminating gender-based differentiation of the variables of hand-grip strength, pain, and quality of life; however, back-leg-chest strength and anaerobic performance variables were found to be ineffective in eliminating gender differentiation. Conclusions: Skiing allows that the individual increases physical performance and quality of life. It can also minimize gender-based differentiation of certain variables, such as muscular force, pain, and quality of life.

Acute Exposure to Normobaric Hypoxia Impairs Balance Performance in Sub-elite but Not Elite Basketball Players

Although high and simulated altitude training has become an increasingly popular training method, no study has investigated the influence of acute hypoxic exposure on balance in team-sport athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether acute exposure to normobaric hypoxia is detrimental to balance performance in highly-trained basketball players. Nine elite and nine sub-elite male basketball players participated in a randomized, single-blinded, cross-over study. Subjects performed repeated trials of a single-leg balance test (SLBT) in an altitude chamber in normoxia (NOR; approximately sea level) with FiO₂ 20.9% and PiO₂ ranging from 146.7 to 150.4 mmHg and in normobaric hypoxia (HYP; ~3,800 m above sea level) with FiO₂ 13.0% and PiO₂ ranging from 90.9 to 94.6 mmHg. The SLBT was performed three times: 15 min after entering the environmental chamber in NOR or HYP, then two times more interspersed by 3-min rest. Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and heart rate (HR) were recorded at four time points: after the initial 15-min rest inside the chamber and immediately after each SLBT. Across the cohort, the balance performance was 7.1% better during NOR than HYP (P < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.58). However, the performance of the elite group was not impaired by HYP, whereas the sub-elite group performed worse in the HYP condition on both legs (DL: P = 0.02, d = 1.23; NDL: P = 0.01, d = 1.43). SpO₂ was lower in HYP than NOR (P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.99) with a significant decline over time during HYP. HR was higher in HYP than NOR (P = 0.04, ηp2 = 0.25) with a significant increase over time. Acute exposure to normobaric hypoxia detrimentally affected the balance performance in sub-elite but not elite basketball players.

Lack of Predictive Power in Commonly Used Tests for Performance in Alpine Skiing

Competitive alpine skiing is a complex sport that requires high physical and technical competence. Testing the physical status of athletes may be important to increase their ability to achieve elite sport-specific performance. This study aimed to investigate the predictive power of the national test battery of the Swedish Olympic Committee (Fysprofilen) and anthropometric variables in the prediction of competitive performance of elite alpine skiers, indicated by Fédération Internationale de Ski points. Data from fourteen Swedish elite female alpine skiers were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate statistical methods. Physiological test results and anthropometric data could not generate significant bivariate or multivariate models for prediction of competitive performance. Multivariate regression (R2) and prediction (Q2) models for Fédération Internationale de Ski Slalom and Giant Slalom rank reached R2=0.27 to 0.43, Q2=+− 0.8 to−0.17, indicating no valid models. The overall interpretation of these and previous findings are that future test batteries must be validated before implemented, and that test results should be treated with caution when it comes to prediction of future competitive results. Applying tests that are not validated against competitive performance risk misleading coaches and training advisors who aim to increase the sports-specific performance of the individual athlete.

The Reliability and Validity of a Novel Sport-Specific Balance Test to Differentiate Performance Levels in Elite Curling Players

Balance as a skill and task-specific capacity is considered an essential physical quality in curling, required for executing effective stone delivery. However, no testing protocols have been developed to test curling-specific balance in the delivery position. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the reliability, validity and usefulness of a newly-developed, curling-specific balance test (CSBT) which involved the delivery position. The secondary aim was to examine the differences between elite and sub-elite curlers for core strength and flexibility, which have previously been identified as important qualities in curling and determinants of balance. Twenty curling players (13 females aged 19 ± 3.1 years; 7 males aged 19.6 ± 2.3 years) from five Swedish super-league curling clubs were divided into two groups according to playing level: elite and sub-elite. Variables included body mass, body height, body mass index, age, playing experience, training frequency, plank test, sit and reach test, standing single-leg balance test (SLBT) and CSBT. The CSBT was executed on a multiaxial tilting balance plate while mimicking the curling delivery position (i.e., a deep lunge position with the front foot on the plate). The participants completed the CSBT on three separate occasions, with each test consisting of three, 20-s attempts. Both the relative and absolute reliability were good for the CSBT (ICC = 0.90; CV = 14.5%). The CSBT demonstrated good measurement usefulness, being sensitive to detect moderate changes that exceeded 0.5 times the test standard deviation. Construct validity of the CSBT was evidenced by the large discriminatory capacity to differentiate expertise level in curling players (t-test: 2.85, p < 0.01; large ES), irrespective of other physical capacities (e.g., flexibility and core strength). However, the elite and sub-elite players also differed in age, playing experience and training frequency. Content validity was confirmed by a weak correlation (r = 0.21; 95%CI: -0.26 to 0.60) between the CSBT and SLBT, which suggests that curling-specific and standing balance should be considered as independent and task-specific motor skills. In conclusion, the CSBT can be used as a reliable, valid and useful tool for the assessment of curling-specific balance performance. In addition, longer and more extensive involvement in curling training contributed to superior specific balance in elite curlers.

Feasibility, Safety and Effects of a One-Week, Ski-Based Exercise Intervention in Brain Tumor Patients and Their Relatives: A Pilot Study

A brain tumor diagnosis poses a significant psychological burden and it severely impacts quality of life (QOL), both in patients and relatives. However, comprehensive strategies addressing QOL in this setting remain rare. Here, we aim to share our findings of a one-week ski exercise intervention, with emphasis on feasibility, safety, QOL, and physical exercise. The intervention consisted of week-long daily ski sessions with professional ski guides as well as dedicated physicians present. The participants were handed questionnaires, including distress and QOL items before, during, and after the intervention. Using fitness watches, exercise intensity was also tracked at these timepoints. During the intervention, patients were checked for adverse events daily. Fifteen participants, nine patients after multidisciplinary treatment, and six relatives were included in the study. Additionally, 13 children participated in the exercise, but not in the study. All of the participants completed the entire program. No severe adverse events were documented during daily checks. There was a strong increase in quantified activity and QOL with a corresponding decrease in distress during the intervention, and, partly, afterwards. This prospective brain tumor rehabilitation study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of challenging ski exercise in brain tumor patients. The findings also underline the exercise-mediated QOL benefits, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive brain tumor rehabilitation programs.

Potential Health Benefits From Downhill Skiing

Objectives: Downhill skiing represents one of the most popular winter sports worldwide. Whereas a plethora of studies dealt with the risk of injury and death associated with downhill skiing, data on its favorable health effects are scarce. A more comprehensive overview on such effects might emerge from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Methods: A literature search has been performed to identify original articles on downhill/alpine skiing interventions or questionnaire-based evaluation of skiing effects and the assessment of health effects (cardiorespiratory, neurophysiological, musculoskeletal, psycho-social).

Results and Discussion: A total of 21 original articles dealing with potentially favorable health effects resulting from downhill skiing were included in this review. Results indicate that downhill skiing, especially when performed on a regular basis, may contribute to healthy aging by its association with a healthier life style including higher levels of physical activity. Several other mechanisms suggest further favorable health effects of downhill skiing in response to specific challenges and adaptations in the musculo-skeletal and postural control systems, to exposures to cold temperatures and intermittent hypoxia, and/or emotional and social benefits from outdoor recreation. However, reliable data corroborating these mechanisms is scarce.

The "FIFA 11+" injury prevention program improves body stability in child (10 year old) soccer players

The suitability of the FIFA 11+ prevention programme to improve selected performance outcomes in children aged < 14 years has not been established yet. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the FIFA 11+ programme on jump ability and stability in 10-year-old child soccer players. Sixteen young soccer players (aged 10 years) were randomly assigned to a conventional or a FIFA 11+ warm-up group. During a 5-week training period with 2 sessions per week the FIFA 11+ group warmed up with the 11+ programme, whereas the control group subjects performed their usual warm-up programme (e.g. running exercises with dribbling and/or passing techniques included). After the warm-up, both groups performed the same training exercises during each session. Before and after the training period, standing long jump performance and body stability (S3 Check, unstable uniaxial platform) were assessed. Significant improvements in the stability index were found in both groups (5.6±1.1 to 3.5±1.0 and 5.5±0.8 to 4.0±1.5 for the FIFA 11+ and the control group, respectively, p<0.001, partial η²=0.886 for the training effect of the analysis of variance) with likely (qualitative inference analysis) greater improvements in the FIFA 11+ group compared to the control group (p=0.078, partial η²=0.205 for the training x group interaction effect of the analysis of variance). Training had no effect on standing long jump performance (p>0.05). Data indicate that in 10-year-old soccer players the FIFA 11+ programme may have the potential to improve stability. Thus, the FIFA 11+ programme might contribute to injury prevention and possibly to better soccer performance as well. This might especially apply if the programme is performed over a longer period and/or with more weekly training sessions. Based on the present results the inclusion of such a programme within the training practice of the child soccer player can be recommended.

Physical condition, nutritional status, fatigue, and quality of life in oncological out-patients

Objective:

Early detection of limited physical activity and nutritional deficiencies in cancer survivors could contribute to early treatment and preservation of quality of life. The aim of this study is to describe the association of physical condition and nutritional status with fatigue and quality of life in oncological out-patients.

Methods:

Data in this descriptive study was collected on bioelectrical impedance analysis, postural stability (stability index), body mass index, Karnofsky Index, quality of life (Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey) and fatigue (multidimensional fatigue inventory-20) in a consecutive sample of 203 oncological out-patients. Phase angle was calculated from bioelectrical impedance analysis. Values were intercorrelated and compared to appropriate standard values.

Results:

Phase angle and stability index outcomes were far below the values of a healthy population of similar age (p < 0.001). Quality of life was significantly lower than in the normal population (p < 0.001), and the level of fatigue was significantly higher (p < 0.001). Phase angle correlated with Karnofsky Index (p = 0.002) and Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey Summary physical function (p < 0.001). Furthermore, multidimensional fatigue inventory-20 scales ‘physical fatigue’ and ‘reduced activity’ were significantly associated with phase angle (p = 0.04, p = 0.005). Stability indices correlated with Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey physical function.

Conclusion:

The physical condition and the nutritional status are key components determining the individual quality of life of oncological out-patients. These variables also showed an association with the manifestation of fatigue. Results highlight the need for interdisciplinary cooperation to detect physical, nutritional and psychological deficiencies in oncological out-patients.

Balance, Basic Anthropometrics and Performance in Young Alpine Skiers; Longitudinal Analysis of the Associations During two Competitive Seasons

Balance is hypothesized to be important in alpine skiing, while it is known that balance depends on anthropometric indices. The aim of this investigation was to explore the association between balance, anthropometrics and skiing-results over two competitive seasons among youth alpine-skiers. Eighty-one skiers (40 females) participated in this study. The participants were tested twice over two competitive seasons: when they were 12-13 years old (U14) and when they were 14-15 years old (U16). The variables consisted of anthropometrics (body height and body mass) and three balance indexes (medio-lateral-, anterio-posterior- and overall-stability-index). Additionally, skiing results in U14 and U16 were evaluated. The balance status did not change significantly over the observed period of time regardless of the significant changes in body mass and height. The relationships between balance and skiing results were higher in the U14 (Pearson’s r = 0.45-0.54) than in the U16 (Pearson’s r = 0.05-0.28). The relationships between anthropometrics and competitive results were generally stronger in girls (Pearson’s r = 0.39-0.88) than in boys (Pearson’s r = 0.26-0.58). After clustering athletes into three achievement groups on a basis of their competitive performance, discriminant canonical analysis showed that relationships between balance and skiing results decreased, while the relationships between anthropometrics and skiing results increased over the two observed seasons. This study highlighted the importance of balance in youth alpine skiing in the age range of 11-14 years.