Physiological Characteristics of Freestyle Snowboard and Freeski Athletes

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the physiological characteristics of freestyle snowboard and freeski athletes and explore potential differences between males and females.

Methods: National-team athletes, snowboard (9 males, 21 [2.3] y; 8 females, 20 [4.1] y) and freeski (10 males, 21 [2.1] y; 8 females, 18 [2.2] y), underwent physiological assessments: maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max; indirect), countermovement-jump height, drop-jump (DJ) height, DJ contact time, reactive strength index, absolute peak force (PFabs), and relative peak force. Differences were analyzed using multivariate analyses of variance Wilks lambda (Λ) and magnitude with partial-eta squared (η²ₚ). Pairwise comparisons and the impact of sex and sport were analyzed with univariate tests, utilizing Cohen d.

Results: No physiological differences were found between snowboard and freeski (Wilks Λ = 0.8, P > .251, η²ₚ = .169). Sex differences were observed (Wilks Λ = 0.2, P < .001, η²ₚ=.79), without an interaction between sex and sport (Λ = 0.8, P > .449, η²ₚ=.120). For snowboard, sex differences included VO₂max (P < .001, d = 1.04), countermovement-jump height (P < .001, d = 2.5), DJ height (P < .001, d = 1.45), DJ contact time (P < .001, d = 0.36), reactive strength index (P < .001, d = 1.36), front-limb PFabs (P < .001, d = 1.77), rear-limb PFabs (P < .001, d = 1.36), front-limb relative PF (P < .003, d = 0.88), and rear-limb relative PF (P < .021, d = 0.65). In freeski, differences included VO₂max (P = .005, d = 0.81), countermovement-jump height (P < .001, d = 1.3), DJ height (P < .001, d = 1.17), DJ contact time (P < .040, d = 0.54), reactive strength index (P < .001, d = 1.0), left-limb PFabs (P < .001, d = 2.2), right-limb PFabs (P < .001, d = 1.88), left-limb relative PF (P < .001, d = 1.1), and right-limb relative PF (P < .001, d = 1.33).

Conclusions: Differences between the sexes, rather than between sports, explained the largest variance. A broad concurrent training approach with the aim of developing resilient athletes is likely warranted while acknowledging and adapting to individual needs.