Abstract

The role of muscle mass of lower limbs to develop explosive leg strength (extensor muscles) has been investigated in 79 male athletes of the Italian national alpine skiing team. Muscle mass was assessed as thigh and calf cross section area and explosive strength was measured as: a) maximal anaerobic power according to Margaria (run at top speed a staircase) and Davies and Rennie tests (standing vertical jump of both feet from force platform) and b) displacement of the center of gravity (vertical jump, Sargent test). The muscle mass as well as explosive leg strength resulted about 10 higher in down-hill and special and giant slalom than in other groups. A linear correlation between thigh or calf muscle mass and explosive leg strength was not observed. However, multiple correlation between both thigh and calf cross section areas were statistically correlated with each of the explosive leg strength. Verf.-Referat