title: Evaluation of Explosive Power Performance in Ski Jumpers and Nordic Combined Competitive Athletes: A 19-Year Study.
abstract: Between 1992 and 2010, a total of 334 males participated in this study that assessed the differences and relationships between anthropometric variables and lower limb muscle strength in young and adult ski jumpers (n = 207) and Nordic combined (NC, n = 127) athletes. All athletes completed a maximal vertical jump from an in-run position and a maximal relative isometric force (MRIF) of the knee extensor measurement in a laboratory setting. The body mass index (BMI) in young competitors was lower than in adult groups (NC: p < 0.001; ski jumping [SJ]: p < 0.001). Similarly, the MRIF in both limbs was lower for both disciplines in the groups of young competitors. The vertical jump height (VJH) was lower for young competitors than for adults (NC: p ≤ 0.05; SJ: p < 0.001). When comparing SJ and NC athletes, BMI was lower in SJ athletes. In addition, the adult SJ competitors exhibited greater values of bilateral MRIF (p ≤ 0.05) and VJH (p < 0.01). There was a strong positive correlation in MRIF between the left and right lower limbs (p < 0.001) for all groups of SJ and NC athletes; therefore, it was determined to be sufficient to measure the MRIF on a single limb. Application of the new training methods (e.g., less emphasis on maximum resistance exercises) resulted in improved explosive power in ski jumpers even at lower-body weights. These changes are in accordance with the change in ski jump techniques.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Natural Sciences in Kinanthropology, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic; and2Department of Interprofessional Health Sciences and Health Administration, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Seton Hall University, New Jersey.
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janura
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cabell
authors.forename: Zdenek
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Svoboda
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elfmark
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D012865:Skiing / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult