Abstract

Alpine ski racing is a complex sport and success is dependent upon many factors. Events range from 50 seconds to 21/2 minutes, depending on the discipline, so the ability to maintain muscular power is critical to performance and should be trained and tested. Endurance tests for skiing have included simple tests which are easy for coaches to administer, such as the box jump test (Andersen et al. 1990). More sophisticated tests have also been developed, allowing the evaluation of eccentric as well as concentric muscular strength and endurance (Eitzlmair et al. 2001, Platzer et al. 2006). Jump tests have been used to determine power in alpine skiers (Bacharach 2003, Bosco 1994, Bosco 1997, Pernitsch 2001, Refsnes 1999) and Bosco (1997) asserted that speed endurance, measured with continuous jumps is the most important physical capacity for skiers. Bosco developed a power endurance test for ski racers and documented his work with the Italian alpine ski team (1994, 1997). There have been no subsequent published studies which have used Bosco's or similar jump tests. Dumping power can be assessed with many methods, but measuring ground reaction forces with force plates allows detailed analysis of strength and power parameters. This study presents an alternative power endurance test, and examines the effect of summer training on power endurance. Einleitung