Analysis of neuromuscular capacities in an alpine skiing speed course 

Morales Rodríguezb, A. Pousibet-Garridoa, J.A. Moreno-Péreza,C. Ruiz Castilloc, B. Lara Lopezb, P. Escobedoa, M.A. Carvajala,P.J. Gómez-Lopezd 

aECsens, Department of Electronics and Computer Technology, Sport and Health 

University Research Institute (iMUDS-UGR), Research Centre for Information and Communications Technologies (CITIC-UGR), University of Granada, Granada, 18071, Spain bMaster en Entrenamiento de Fuerza y Rendimiento Neuromuscular. GIDECS, Exercise Physiology Laboratory. Camilo Jose Cela University, Villafranca del Castillo, Madrid, 28692, Spain cRoyal Spanish Winter Sports Federation (RFEDI) (RFEDI), Madrid, 28008, Spain dSkiingLab, iMUDS, Department of Physical and Sport Education, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, 18007 Granada, Spain 

Introduction 

Alpine skiing is a highly neuromuscular demanding sport, characterised by repeated high intensity efforts, particularly in speed disciplines such as supergiant (1). The present research aimed to analyse the impact of a real training protocol on neuromuscular performance variables in adolescent skiers, using inertial technology and portable dynamometry. We also sought to identify possible differences in response according to gender. 

Methods 

The intervention consisted of six partial descents through a technical supergiant course with 15 gates and a 150-metre vertical drop, located in the Sierra Nevada ski resort. The intervention consisted of six partial descents through a technical supergiant course with 15 gates and a gradient of 150 metres, located in the Sierra Nevada ski resort. Neuromuscular assessments were performed at two points in time: before and after the training protocol. Two main tools were used: a validated inertial system (IMU) (2) to record jump height and flight time in the countermovement jump test (CMJ), and a portable dynamometric gauge attached to a platform to perform the isometric Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull test (IMTP), in order to measure peak force (N), relative force (N/kg) and rate of force development (RFD) at 100 ms and 200 ms (3). 4. 

Results 

The results showed a differential response between sexes. Males showed statistically significant improvements in maximal strength (p = 0.046), relative strength (p = 0.008) and a 13.8% increase in CMJ jump height. In contrast, females showed no significant improvements, with even a slight decrease in maximal strength and jump height. RFD showed post-intervention improvement trends in both sexes, although without statistical significance, probably due to the small sample size and individual variability. 5. Conclusion These findings reinforce the usefulness of technology applied in real-world settings for the accurate assessment of neuromuscular performance and specific fatigue in alpine skiing. The integration of portable inertial sensors and portable isometric dynamometry proved to be effective, safe and applicable outside the laboratory, which is of great value in winter sports where field assessment conditions are often limited. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that current technological tools allow an objective and detailed analysis of neuromuscular response in young skiers under real training conditions. It also demonstrates the need to design gender-differentiated training and recovery strategies to optimise performance and prevent fatigue in competitive alpine skiing. Future research with larger samples and internal load analyses could contribute to the personalisation of interventions and to a better understanding of fatigue mechanisms in this sport context. 

References  

Gilgien M, Reid R, Raschner C, Supej M, Holmberg HC. The Training of Olympic Alpine Ski Racers. Frontiers In Physiology [Internet]. 21 de diciembre de 2018;9. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.01772 

Moreno-Pérez JA, Ruiz-García I, Navarro-Marchal I, López-Ruiz N, Gómez-López PJ, Palma AJ, et al. System Based on an Inertial Measurement Unit for Accurate Flight Time Determination in Vertical Jumps. Sensors [Internet]. 29 de junio de 2023;23(13):6022. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.3390/s23136022 

Maffiuletti NA, Aagaard P, Blazevich AJ, Folland J, Tillin N, Duchateau J. Rate of force development: physiological and methodological considerations. European Journal Of Applied Physiology [Internet]. 3 de marzo de 2016;116(6):1091-116. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3346-6  

Grants and funding sources 

Este estudio ha sido financiado por el prroyecto «SensorSportLab IV», (Redes de Investigación en Ciencias del Deporte 2025) por Consejo Superior de Deportes (Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte). Los autores quieren además agradecer la colaboración de la empresa Myoquality S.L. por la cesión de material y su apoyo técnico.