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

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Kashluba, Kayla Amanda

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Doyle-Baker, Patricia Katherine

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Clark, Marcia L.
• Emery, Carolyn A.
• Jordan, Matthew J.
• Westin, Maria

• alpine skiing
• nueromuscular
• Performance
• warmup
• balance
• power

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/33063

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:1880/108710