How to spin to win : A study about the biomechanical and physiological determinants in a snowboard jump

Aim and objectives The aim of this study was to examine how different biomechanical, physiological and anthropometry variables relate to snowboard jump performance. The first objective was to investigate the differences in velocity at take-off, jumping height, jumping length and air-time (AT) in straight jumps and tricks with different degrees of rotations in a jump. The second objective was to identify which biomechanical and physiological parameters correlate with snowboard jump performance, which was defined as the ranking of the athletes’ best 720° jump subjectively determined by an experienced snowboard judge. Method Eleven students at Malung-Sälens Snowboard High-school performed straight jumps and backside rotations on a snowboard jump, while data on snow variables such as velocity at take-off, jumping height, jumping length and AT were collected. An experienced judge evaluated all 720° jumps. Participants also performed strength and flexibility tests to assess their physiological performance. The physiological tests included: 1RM squat, squat jump with weight equal to 40% of their 1RM squat weight, unweighted squat jump, countermovement jumps, countermovement jumps with arm swing, chin-ups, brutal bench and a modified sit and reach test. Results While performing the 720° rotations the riders had significantly higher jumping height and AT than during the 360° jumps. No significant correlations were found between the best subjectively judged 720° and jumping height, jumping length or AT. None of the physiological tests results produced significant correlations with subjectively judged snowboard performance. Conclusions When the participants performed a higher degree of rotation, jumping height and AT increased significantly. No relationships were observed between jumping height, jumping length, or AT with subjectively judged snowboard jump performance. It is believed that the rank of the best 720° was primarily based on the athletes’ personal riding style. The physiological tests showed no relationship to the subjectively judged snowboard jump performance. Other factors such as psychology, technique and coordination might be more important for performance