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Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between physical characteristics and performance in young alpine skiers in the Super-G discipline. Methods: A sample of 42 U16 alpine skiing competitors (23 boys and 19 girls) aged 14-15 years participated in the study. The physical characteristics were measured using the Inbody 720 Body Composition Analysis and 3D Body Scan devices. Performance data was obtained from official records of the Ski Association of Slovenia for the 2018/19 U16 competitive season. Variables such as body height, body weight, thigh circumference, waist circumference, chest circumference, shoulder circumference, muscle mass percentage, fat mass percentage, body mass index, and body fat percentage were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between the physical characteristics and Super-G performance. Results: Significant correlations were found between body weight, thigh circumference, chest circumference, muscle mass percentage, and Super-G performance in boys. For girls, waist circumference, chest circumference, and body fat percentage were significantly correlated with performance. The multiple regression model explained 73% of the variance in the boys’ performance and 59% in the girls’, although the model itself was not statistically significant for predicting performance. Conclusion: Physical characteristics, especially muscle mass percentage and body circumferences, are significantly associated with Super-G performance in young alpine skiers. These findings underscore the importance of tailored training programs that consider individual physical characteristics to optimize competitive success in alpine skiing.
Keywords: alpine skiing, Super-G, physical characteristics, young athletes, body composition, performance indicators
Published in DiRROS: 13.03.2025; Views: 512; Downloads: 301
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Abstract: Regular physical activity (PA) reduces the health risk of childhood obesity and associated chronic diseases as well as mental health problems. Since PA declines as children age as well with future generations it is of highest importance to intervene in school and out-of-school settings. Out-of-school periods affect children's PA as it is mainly left to the interest and motivation of their parents. We compared accelerometer-based PA patterns in 93 6- to 9-year old children assessed four times: before (May/June), during (August), and after (September) summer holidays and at a 1-year follow up (May/June). Before summer holidays children were assessed also for anthropometry and motor tests. During summer holidays overall PA decreased by 18% (p < 0.001), physical inactivity increased by 5.5% (p < 0.001), moderate PA decreased by 53% (p < 0.001) and moderate to vigorous PA decreased by 45% (p < 0.001) when compared to before summer holidays. Furthermore, overall PA remained diminished also after summer holidays by 8.8% (p = 0.001) but recovered to baseline values at 1-year follow up. About 30% of overall PA and moderate to vigorous PA decrease during summer holidays could be explained by children's fitness level as a greater decrease was found in children with better results in standing long jump and 300-meter running time. Our finding detects an alarming summer holiday decrease in children PA that should not be neglected in future studies and intervention designs.
Keywords: MVPA, children, vacations, physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, accelerometer
Published in DiRROS: 19.01.2021; Views: 1989; Downloads: 1775
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