Slalom (SL) and giant slalom (GS) are very different skiing disciplines. This can be exemplified by the fact that on the men`s World Cup there are only six ski racers that are found in both SL and GS top 30 World Cup point lists (FIS, 2012). This would lead one to believe that the two events are more different than alike. Determining differences in SL and GS kinetics would be valuable information for the preparation of competitive athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine if force and acceleration could be used to differentiate between SL and GS. Methods After IRB was accepted and consents forms signed, 3 male and 5 female collegiate ski racers [FIS SL pts. = 75.53 (29.11), GS pts. = 71.02 (28.95)] skied a warm up run, then completed 1 run of SL set at 10.2 m vertical distance and 4 m horizontal offset, and 1 run of GS set at 20.4 m vertical distance and 6 m offset on SL and GS skis (2010/11 FIS ski specifications), respectively. The 94m vertical run was groomed prior to data collection. Data from each of the 6 middle turns were averaged and used. Unidirectional force was measured with force insoles (Pedar, Novel Electronics) (100 Hz sampling frequency) and with triaxial accelerometry (Pendant G Data Logger) (50 Hz sampling frequency) attached to the lower ski boot. Sagittal (x), frontal (y) and vertical (z) were recorded. The inner and outer ski relationship during the turn was used to determine percent contribution for force between the SL and GS skis and for acceleration comparison. Data are listed as mean (+/-SD). Alpha level of significance was p < 0.05. Results Mean total force per turn in SL was 943.71 (291.24) and GS 937.03 (225.03) N, p = .45, r = .87. When adjusted for body weight SL was 1.323 (.26) and GS 1.324 (.24) N/kg, p = .44, r = .73. The inner SL ski accounted for 33.51 (6.84) and the inner GS ski 31.16 (7.84) %, p = .12, r = .75. Mean acceleration (m/s^2) for the outer ski: SLx -6.37 (2.53), GSx 5.46 (3.84) p= .20; SLy -0.67 (2.17), GSy 0.24 (3.51) p= .24; SLz 11.96 (1.55), GSz 10.85 (2.87) p= .06. For the inner ski: SLx -6.64 (3.51), GSx -5.94 (4.22) p= .20; SLy -0.25 (2.58), GSy -0.68 (3.06), p= .35; SLz 12.64 (2.02), GSz 10.17 (4.50) p = .07. Discussion: There were no significant difference in absolute and relative mean forces between SL and GS. The inside ski accounted for about 1/3 of the total force in both SL and GS for a none significant difference. Accelerations were also non significant for both the inner and outer ski for SL and GS for all measurements. This would lead one to conclude that SL and GS with respect to mean force and acceleration measured at the boot, under these test parameters, are similar, and the differences found in race results must lie elsewhere.
© Copyright 2012 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Bruges, 4. -7. July 2012. Julkaistu Tekijä Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator