Lower limb force-production capacities in alpine skiing disciplines

Specific force capacities might be a limiting factor for alpine skiing performance, yet there is little consensus on the capabilities in question, and whether they differ between disciplines. We aimed to test discipline (speed and technical) and performance (event-specific world standing) effects on lower limb force-production qualities. National-level skiers (N = 31) performed loaded squat jumps and isometric mid-thigh pulls to detect dynamic force output at extremely low and high velocities and maximum isometric force and rate of force development, respectively. Discipline differences were assessed via a general linear model including performance and allowing for interaction effects, with performance associations further characterized via distinct Pearson's correlations. Jump height did not differentiate disciplines, with absolute power slightly higher in speed athletes (F_(1,27)  = 4.42, P = .045, ω²  = 0.10), and neither variables were related to performance. Speed athletes possessed greater dynamic force at low velocities (F₀ ; F_(1,27)  = 13.8, P < .001, ω²  = 0.17), and greater relative and absolute maximum isometric force (F_(1,25)  = 11.19-20.70, ω²  = 0.16-0.22, P < .003). Overall, higher ranked athletes possessed more force-dominant profiles (F_(1,27)  = 16.28, ω²  = 0.34; r = 0.60 to 0.67, P < .001) and increased rate of force development characteristics (average and maximum, r = -0.50 to -0.82, P < .048). Very robust associations existed between maximum isometric force and speed performance (r = -0.88, P < .001), but only a trend for higher absolute isometric force in technical athletes (r = -0.49, P = .052). Alpine skiers display a preponderance for dynamic force output at low velocities, and isometric force for speed athletes, which highlights the interest in specific assessment and conditioning practices for ski athletes.