An Intervention Program Designed to Improve Balance and Power in U14 Alpine Ski-Racers

Date
2018-09-20
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Abstract
Purpose: To investigate if a neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up program during preseason improved lower limb balance and maximal muscular power compared to a standard preseason program in alpine ski-racers 10-13-years-old (U14) after 8-weeks. Methods: Quasi-experimental study design. Participants included n=73 skiers from five Alberta Alpine Ski Association (AASA) ski-clubs. Ski-clubs in the intervention group (n=3) completed 2 15-min coach-delivered NMT warm-ups a week, while the standard of care (SOC) (n=2) ski-clubs completed their standard training; NMT warm-up program included balance, strength, and agility exercises. Performance outcome measures completed at baseline and post –testing included: vertical jump (VJ), star excursion balance test (SEBT) reach distances, and predicted VO2max. Results: Participants in the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements on the VJ and SEBT. Conclusions: Dynamic balance and peak leg power improved post implementation of the NMT warm-up program in U14 alpine ski-racers.
Description
Keywords
alpine skiing, nueromuscular, Performance, warmup, balance, power
Citation
Kashluba, K. A. (2018). An Intervention Program Designed to Improve Balance and Power in U14 Alpine Ski-Racers (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/33063