Water skiing biomechanics: a study of advanced skiers

Abstract

Six advanced slalom skiers were recruited to test four different ski designs over the summer months of 2010. An axial load transducer, boat global positioning system and skier global positioning system were used to calculate rope load and velocity for the skier during the deep water start and cutting portion of a slalom run. The methodology was designed where possible to reduce the uncontrollable factors that present themselves in the natural environment of slalom water skiing. There was statistical evidence to suggest that there was a difference in the average peak rope load produced between the skis during cutting. The typical average peak rope load and skier velocity, for an advanced skier, during the cutting portion of a ski run is in the range of 1.41–2.74 times body weight. The instrumentation was unable to provide enough evidence to suggest that there was a difference in the peak skier velocity during cutting or peak rope load during deep water starts. The typical average peak skier velocity while cutting, and rope load, during a deep water start, for an advanced skier, was in the range of 114–135% of boat speed and 1.74–2.74 times body weight. Furthermore, there was a statistical difference in the overall performance of the skiers participating in the study. The analysis techniques utilized in this study have the potential of providing more quantitative performance evaluation data than is currently available for water ski product development and coaching, and should prove useful for future performance-driven development and coaching.