Swiss-Ski Power Test Results in Youth Competitive Alpine Skiers Are Associated With Biological Maturation and Skiing Performance

in International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

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Marie Javet
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Stefan Fröhlich
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Björn Bruhin
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Walter O. Frey
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Michael Romann
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Jörg Spörri
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2021-0184
Keywords:
exercise; exercise test; athletes; youth sports; physical fitness
First Published Online:
24 Mar 2022
In Print:
Volume 17: Issue 6
Page Range:
961–968
Restricted access

Purpose: To explore reasonable application purposes and potential confounders of the Swiss-Ski Power Test (SSPT) that is, since 2004, annually performed by all youth competitive alpine skiers of the under-16-years age category in Switzerland. Methods: Preseason SSPT results (8 individual tests on anaerobic and aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and speed and coordination) of 144 skiers (57 female and 87 male) age 14.5 (0.7) years were analyzed along with anthropometry and biological age. Skiing performance was quantified as the actual performance points according to the Swiss national ranking. After the SSPT tests, skiers were prospectively monitored over 12 months using the Oslo Trauma Research Center questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear/binary logistic regression models. Results: Biological maturation and SSPT results differed between sexes and age (P < .05). For males, SSPT results in the subdisciplines Swiss Cross, 1-leg 5-hop, and standing long jump were correlated to maturity offset, while for females only the obstacle run was related. High box jump and Swiss Cross scores were associated with skiing performance (P < .05). However, none of the SSPT subdisciplines was related to traumatic and overuse injuries (P < .05). Conclusions: The SSPT is a broadly implementable and cost-effective field test providing a general fitness profile of youth skiers. Around the growth spurt, differences in biological maturation should be considered. While SSPT results showed association with skiing performance, the test in its current form is limited for identifying injury-relevant physical deficiencies. Consequently, more specific tests may be required.

Javet, Bruhin, and Romann are with the Section for Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Inst of Sport, Magglingen, Switzerland. Javet and Bruhin are also with Swiss-Ski, Bern, Switzerland. Fröhlich, Frey, and Spörri are with the Sports Medical Research Group and the University Center for Prevention and Sports Medicine, Dept of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Spörri (joerg.spoerri@balgrist.ch) is corresponding author.
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