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Yao Y, Niu X. Physical fitness characteristics of elite freestyle skiing aerials athletes. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304912. [PMID: 38843216 PMCID: PMC11156283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the physical fitness characteristics of elite freestyle skiing aerials athletes, thereby enhancing the understanding of exercise physiologists, sports scientists, and coaches regarding the demands in this discipline. METHODS After health screenings, 29 athletes from the Chinese National Freestyle Skiing Aerials Team were divided into elite and general groups, including males and females. Physical fitness indexes were determined through literature reviews, expert interviews, and the Delphi method, followed by physical fitness tests assessing body morphology, physiological function, and physical quality. Data normality was verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Differences between the two groups were then evaluated using independent sample t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, after which effect sizes were calculated to assess the magnitude of the differences. RESULTS Significant body morphology differences were noted between elite and general groups in fat-free body weight, leg, and waist circumferences (P < 0.05). Male athletes in the elite group exhibited a significantly lower percentage of body fat (P < 0.05), whereas the reduction in body fat percentage among female elite athletes was not statistically significant. In terms of physiological function assessment, elite athletes demonstrated superior performance in both maximum anaerobic capacity and relative maximum anaerobic capacity compared to their counterparts in the general group (P < 0.05). Notably, the difference in maximum anaerobic capacity was highly significant among male athletes (P < 0.01), and the relative maximum anaerobic capacity among female athletes was also markedly significant (P < 0.01). Regarding physical quality indexes, elite athletes outperformed those in the general group in all aspects except for the quick v-up and 12-minute run tests (P < 0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Elite athletes exhibit superior physical fitness characteristics compared to general athletes, attributable to differences in age, years of training, and their participation in ongoing specialized physical training within structured, cyclical programs. Specifically, elite athletes demonstrated higher fat-free body weight, larger waist and leg circumferences in terms of body morphology. Particularly, male athletes showed a trend towards lower body fat percentage. Physiologically, they exhibited stronger anaerobic metabolism capabilities. In terms of physical quality, elite athletes displayed superior limb strength, lower limb explosive power, and specialized core strength, along with better speed, agility, and overall coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwei Yao
- School of Sports Training, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xuesong Niu
- School of Social Sports, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, China
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Diewald SN, Neville J, Cronin JB, Read D, Cross MR. Skating into the Unknown: Scoping the Physical, Technical, and Tactical Demands of Competitive Skateboarding. Sports Med 2024; 54:1399-1418. [PMID: 38743173 PMCID: PMC11239769 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-02032-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inclusion of skateboarding in the Olympics suggests that athletes and coaches are seeking ways to enhance their chances of succeeding on the world stage. Understanding what constitutes performance, and what physical, neuromuscular, and biomechanical capacities underlie it, is likely critical to success. OBJECTIVE The aim was to overview the current literature and identify knowledge gaps related to competitive skateboarding performance and associated physical, technical, and tactical demands of Olympic skateboarding disciplines. METHODS A systematic scoping review was performed considering the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Data sources were MEDLINE (Ovid), Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and PubMed. We included all peer-reviewed literature after 1970 describing the physiological, neuromuscular, biomechanical, and/or tactical aspects of skateboarding. RESULTS Nineteen original articles explored the physiological (n = 9), biomechanical (n = 8), and technical (n = 10) demands of skateboarding. No research explored the tactical demands of competition. Moreover, although competitive males (n = 2 studies) and females (n = 1 study) were recruited as participants, no research directly related skateboarding demands to performance success in competitive environments. CONCLUSIONS Ultimately, what constitutes and distinguishes competitive skateboarding is unexplored. There is some evidence indicating aspects of the sport require flexibility and elevated and fast force output of the lower limbs, which may be valuable when attempting to maximise ollie height. Nonetheless, a lack of ecological validity, such as using static ollie tests as opposed to rolling, restricted our ability to provide practical recommendations, and inconsistency of terminology complicated delineating discipline-specific outcomes. Future researchers should first look to objectively identify what skaters do in competition before assessing what qualities enable their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley N Diewald
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) at AUT Millennium, Auckland University of Technology, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale, Auckland, 0630, New Zealand.
- Kitman Labs, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Jono Neville
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) at AUT Millennium, Auckland University of Technology, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale, Auckland, 0630, New Zealand
| | - John B Cronin
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) at AUT Millennium, Auckland University of Technology, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale, Auckland, 0630, New Zealand
- Athlete Training and Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David Read
- Skateboarding New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Matt R Cross
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) at AUT Millennium, Auckland University of Technology, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale, Auckland, 0630, New Zealand
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Wang Z, Zhong Y, Wang S. Anthropometric, Physiological, and Physical Profile of Elite Snowboarding Athletes. Strength Cond J 2022. [DOI: 10.1519/ssc.0000000000000718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Fagher K, Baumgart JK, Solli GS, Holmberg HC, Lexell J, Sandbakk Ø. Preparing for snow-sport events at the Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2022: recommendations and remaining questions. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2022; 8:e001294. [PMID: 35295372 PMCID: PMC8867376 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing, the Para snow-sport events will be held at high altitudes and in possibly cold conditions while also requiring adjustment to several time zones. Furthermore, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may lead to suboptimal preparations. Another concern is the high rate of injuries that have been reported in the Para alpine and snowboard events. In addition to these challenges, Para athletes various impairments may affect both sports-specific demands and athlete health. However, the group of Para snow-sport athletes is an understudied population. Accordingly, this perspective paper summarises current knowledge to consider when preparing for the Paralympic Games in Beijing and point out important unanswered questions. We here focus specifically on how sport-specific demands and impairment-related considerations are influenced by altitude acclimatisation, cold conditions, travel fatigue and jetlag, complications due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and injury prevention and sports safety considerations. As Para athletes with spinal cord injury, limb deficiency, cerebral palsy and visual impairment account for the majority of the Para snow-sport athletes, the focus is mainly on these impairment groups. In brief, we highlight the extra caution required to ensure athlete health, performance and sports safety among Para athletes participating in the snow-sport events in the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Games. Although there is an urgent need for more high-quality research focusing on Para winter athletes, we hope these non-consensus recommendations will help prepare for the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Winter Games.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Fagher
- Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- The Swedish Paralympic Committee, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J K Baumgart
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - G S Solli
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, Nord University, Bodo, Norway
| | - H C Holmberg
- Department of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum C5, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Lexell
- Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- The Medical Committee, The International Paralympic Committee, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ø Sandbakk
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Dann RA, Kelly V. Evidence-Based Strength and Conditioning Plan for Freestyle Snowboarding Athletes. Strength Cond J 2021. [DOI: 10.1519/ssc.0000000000000619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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McPhail J, Gonçalves BAM, Spörri J, Linnamo V. Unilateral Maximal Isometric Hex Bar Pull Test: Within-Session Reliability and Lower Body Force Production in Male and Female Freeski Athletes. Front Sports Act Living 2021; 3:715833. [PMID: 34435187 PMCID: PMC8380774 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2021.715833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to (1) assess the within-session reliability of a unilateral isometric hex bar pull (UIHBP) maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) test and, (2) determine unilateral isometric absolute peak force (PFabs) and relative peak force (PF) values in freeski athletes. Twenty-one male and eight female academy to national team freeskiers performed the novel UIHBP MVC task on a force plate and PFabs and relative PF were assessed (1000 Hz). Within-session measures of PFabs offered high reliability on left and right limbs for males (ICC = 0.91-0.94, CV = 2.6-2.2%) and females (ICC = 0.94-0.94, CV = 1.4-1.6%), while relative PF measures showed good to high reliability in both left and right limbs for males (ICC = 0.8-0.84, CV = 2.6-2.2%) and females (ICC = 0.92-0.90, CV = 1.4-1.7%). We observed significantly lower PFabs (p < 0.001) and relative PF (p < 0.001) in females compared to males. No statistical difference was found between left and right limbs in males and females in PFabs (p = 0.98) and relative PF measures (p = 0.93). The UIHBP MVC test appears to be a reliable method for assessing PFabs and relative PF in male and female freeski athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan McPhail
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | | | - Jörg Spörri
- Sports Medical Research Group, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Centre for Prevention and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vesa Linnamo
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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Robinson AJ, Carter RP, Browne JD, Hu J, Arnold MT, Baum JT, Neufeld EV, Dolezal BA. Energy Expenditure and Muscular Recruitment Patterns of Riding a Novel Electrically Powered Skateboard. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXERCISE SCIENCE 2020; 13:1783-1793. [PMID: 33414880 PMCID: PMC7745903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Analysis of metabolic gas exchange and muscular output measures have enabled researchers to index activity intensity and energy expenditure for a myriad of exercises. However, there is no current research that investigates the physiological demands of riding electrically powered skateboards. The aim of this study was to measure the energetic cost and muscular trends of riding a novel electrically powered skateboard engineered to emulate snowboarding on dry-land. While riding the skateboard, eight participants (aged 21-37 years, 1 female) donned a portable breath-by-breath gas analyzer to measure energy expenditure (mean = 12.5, SD = 2 kcal/min), maximum heart rate (mean = 158, SD = 27 bpm), and metabolic equivalent (mean = 10.5, SD = 2 kcal/kg/h). By comparison, snowboarding has a metabolic equivalent (MET) of 8.0. Per the Compendium of Physical Activities guidelines, the predicted MET values for riding an electrically powered skateboard qualifies as vigorous-intensity activity. Four participants additionally wore a surface EMG embedded garment to record the percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) of lower limb muscle groups. The inner quadriceps had the most pronounced mean peak muscle activation of 145%MVC during frontside and 164%MVC during frontside turns. EMG recordings showed 11.7%MVC higher utilization during backside turns compared to frontside turns while riding the electrically powered skateboard, which is similar to trends observed in alpine snowboarders. Therefore, electrically powered skateboards may be a promising technology for snowboarders and non-snowboarders alike to burn calories and increase physical activity year-round.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Robinson
- Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Robert P Carter
- Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan D Browne
- Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- School of Medicine, California University of Science and Medicine, Colton, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Hu
- Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael T Arnold
- Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jaxon T Baum
- Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eric V Neufeld
- Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, USA
| | - Brett A Dolezal
- Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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