Essay: Musculoskeletal system in alpine skiing

Alpine skiing is a combination sport of sliding down snow-covered hills using guidance poles and fixed based skies; This combination is made up from downhill and slalom ski races both requiring constant changes of speed and balance position. Downhill skiing consists of athletes passing between gates on the course skiing at speeds of 90 to 140 km/h on a gradient slope of 15-30 degrees. Similarly ‘slalom skiing’ is an event where the athlete speeds down the slope with the aim of ‘zigzagging’ through indicated gates. The distance from gate to gate rage between the minimum of 75 cm to the maximum of 13 metres therefore putting a strain on the reaction of the body. The time taken to complete each race is then combined in order to determine the alpine combination score.
The many components of Alpine skiing involve various techniques. Depending on what stage of the race each skier is completing or what strategies they have been taught, techniques will vary. Many of these aspects on how to ‘alpine ski’ relate to the position of the skis and weight positioning. Some techniques include:
• Loaded Inside Ski
• Level Ski Tips
• Carving
• Beginning thrust
• Early Edge Engagement
• Jump Technique
• The Tuck
All of these techniques put strain on the body however i will be focusing on two movement phases;
‘the tuck’ and ‘carving’.
How does the musculoskeletal system work together to produce movement in your chosen sport?
Movement 1 – The tuck
Muscular
The tuck is a movement in which alpine skiers use between turns in order to progress down the mountain slope at a faster rate. This requires the athlete to bend down in a low and compact position while still maintaining control of the surrounding occurrences. The physiology of this movement engages many muscles throughout the legs and anterior face of the body some of these include the isometric contraction of the agonist hamstrings backed by the quadricep antagonist, the anterior gluteus maximus, the tightening of an anterior agonist trapezius supported by posterior pectorals major, an isotonic contraction of the gastrocnemius anterior and finally a slight use of the bicep supported by the tricep.
Joint actions
Through this movement phase two main types of synovial joints are being used, the ball and socket and the hinge joint. It is the muscular actions, stated above, that trigger these joint actions in forcing the bone to move in the direction of the joint action as well as muscle pull. While in the ‘tuck’ position three joint actions occur, they consist of flexion of the trunk at the hip joint, flexion of the arm at the elbow joint and flexion of the leg at the knee joint. Without these actions the ‘tuck’ phase would not be completed correctly or efficiently.
Weight distribution
Much of the body’s weight is placed on the knees while performing this action. Through leaning forward, facing your posterior towards the ground, and tucking in, the weight is distributed forward therefore helping with the avoidance of wind force etc in the aim of travelling faster down the mountain.
Image source b
Movement 2 – carving
Muscular
The movement phase of ‘carving’ is seen throughout the downhill ski race as the athletes attempt to weave around the gates keeping within boundaries. This phase includes many subcategories in analysing each leg as well as the overall movement, this is because unlike the ‘tuck’, the skiers body must be able to adapt to the direction of the course and slope of the ski hill. Identical to the bracchi
Image source c analysis from the tuck there is a slight isometric contraction and use of the agonist bicep and antagonist tricep while holding position in being ready to have to use them.
RIGHT LEG
As shown in image c the interior leg plays a large role in controlling movement. The agonist, posterior quadricep supported by the anterior hamstring, the anterior gastrocnemius and soleus as well as the gluteus maximus all hold a crucial place in the support of the body while performing the carving action.
LEFT LEG
In regards to the left leg, the muscles involved are of a smaller number and less significant as more pressure is being put onto the right. The only combination used includes the agonist, posterior quadricep and antagonist anterior hamstring.
Joints involved
Alike movement one, the bending position is much the same with few exceptions in regard to joint actions. The same hinge and ball and socket synovial joints are in use through flexion of the leg at the knee joint, flexion of the trunk at the hip joint, flexion of the arm at the elbow joint and slight abduction of the knees in relation to the torso at the hip joint (seen through knees ‘twisting’ away from body) .
Weight distribution
Depending on what angle the corner an athlete is carving around sits at determines where the weight will be distributed. Using the photo above (source c ) as an example, the athlete is placing majority of her weight onto her right side, this then directs her skis and angles her in the wanted direction in order to move around gates.
Image source d
Analyse the impact of the chosen sport and its training processes on the physiological adaptation of the respiratory system (8 marks)
When performing any act of physical activity the physiological systems within the human body spark a response. The sport, alpine skiing, requires aerobic, power, endurance and strength based fitness. In regards to aerobic conditioning the heart rate must remarkably raise while in the training process in order to be ready and fit for competitions. For the duration of the ski race the heart rate increases therefore leading to the circulation of the oxygen in blood moving faster and with more force to the muscles as well as to removing to the muscles faster as well as removing toxins from the cell faster. This then the blog pressure must increase as well. To get more oxygen into the bloodstream anaerobic and more high intensity movement is needed, the breathing rate must increase, and the lungs expand and contract more to reach this higher level of oxygenated blood. As a consequence of the actions and movements of alpine skiing, aerobic (with oxygen) exercise is more useful and beneficial than anaerobic (without oxygen) and allows the athlete to continue for longer periods of time, this impacts the respiratory system in that high intensity training is not required constantly therefore putting less strain on the lungs and respiratory system.
Additionally, as alpine skiing is a sport performed at high altitudes this would also have an affect on the adaptations and functions of the respiratory system. In high altitude areas such as the competition alps, oxygen is less accessible and therefor the lungs must work harder. Short term affects of this include decrease in energy. It is for this reason that training regularly in these conditions may benefit the athlete in allowing them to learn and adapt to breathing in ‘anaerobic’ stimulated situations. However due to the possible long term affects on the body of experiencing high altitudes it is more common for alpine athletes to perform high intensity training so that the lungs and respiratory system allows itself to adapt to what is required.
Justify the two-main health-related components and the two-main skill-related components of physical fitness associated with performance in this sport. (Note: your justification needs to focus on why the two health and two skill-related components are more important than the other components, not why one is better than the other) (8 marks)
Heath related
—> Muscular strength
Muscular strength is the maximum force that can be produced in one effort. When alpine skiing and holding various positions it is important that the athletes muscular strength ranks well as the success of their action depends on what, overall, can be produced and maintained.
—> Aerobic capacity
Aerobic capacity is a function of both the maximum ability to remove and use oxygen from circulating the blood as well as cardiorespiratory performance. This alludes to when intensely exercising the maximum intake of oxygen.
These two components are more important than other health related components as they are utilised greatly and depended on if the athlete strives do do well in the sport. Weather it be the tuck, carving, the initial start or just skiing in-between it is crucial that the athlete is muscularly strong as well as aerobically capable to therefore complete the race safely, efficiently and injury free. These two components apply to all health related components of alpine skiing however those listed above may not apply of be of great use in completing such actions.
Skill related
—> Musculoskeletal stability
Musculoskeletal stability refers to the stability of everything included within the muscle, bone and joint category. Without musculoskeletal stability the athlete would not be in a position that he/she could perform most of the actions required.
—> Agility
To be agile is to be quick in reaction timing, so that the athlete can quickly change direction or body position. Agility is controlled through other components such as balance, coordination and skill thus cementing the broad versatility and usefulness of this skill related component in regards to alpine skiing.
These two skill related components are more important than others due to the reasoning of all held positions while alpine skiing require stability and agility. In smooth conditions body stability and natural agility in reaction timing is needed to correct errors or endorse a better performance, sometimes in these soft conditions one movement out of place could become destructive thus it is very important that an alpine skier is agile and stable in every action. Superior to other skill related components, musculoskeletal stability and agility work hand in hand as well as individually to create the best outcome while competing in this technical winter sport.