The Evaluation of Physical Performance Test Parameters of Alpine Snowboarders with Competition Scores

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyze and compare the relationship between anaerobic power, isokinetic leg muscle strength and balance parameters and competition results of snowboarding athletes competing in national team selections. The study included 12 athletes (male and female) in the snowboarding branch with mean age of males and females of 20 +/- 1.29-20 +/- 1.41 years, mean height of 174.43 +/- 6.75-160.4 +/- 5.41 cm, mean body weight of 67.40 +/- 6.11-57.08 +/- 4.83 kg, body mass index of 22.17 +/- 1.88-22.22 +/- 1.95 kg/m2, and body fat percentage of 10.08 +/- 3.7-20.19 +/- 4.18. The heights of the athletes were measured using a Holtain (UK) stadiometer and their body weights were determined using BC, 418 Tanita (Japan). Anaerobic power and capacity tests were performed through the Wingate test, and IsoMed 2000 (R) isokinetic strength device was used for strength measurements. Balance tests were performed with six different types of Sportkat 4000 device. The relationship between anaerobic capacity, isokinetic muscle strength, balance parameters and competition results was determined via Spearman correlation test. The study revealed highly significant correlations between the participants' anaerobic power and lower extremity muscle strength and the competition results (p.05). The study concluded that certain physical performance of snowboarding athletes with different competition scores is related to anaerobic capacity and lower extremity muscle strength. It is thought that evaluating motoric characteristics in the national team selection criteria would be a correct decision. In the development of athletes' performance, their knowledge levels regarding anaerobic capacity, muscle strength and balance parameters should be increased.