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Applied physiology of water-skiing
S H Leggett1, K Kenney, T Eberhardt
1UCSD Orthomed, La Jolla, USA.
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Water-skiing demands significant physical exertion, leading elite athletes to develop unique physiological traits. Further research is needed to fully understand the sport
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Water-skiing is a physically demanding sport requiring complex coordination and intense physical stress.
- Elite water-skiers exhibit physiological adaptations comparable to other high-level athletes.
- Limited research has explored the specific kinesiology, physiology, and conditioning aspects of water-skiing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the physiological demands of water-skiing.
- To emphasize the need for further scientific investigation into the sport's kinesiology and conditioning.
- To establish a baseline for understanding the physical attributes of elite water-skiers.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on water-skiing.
- Analysis of physiological demands based on sport's biomechanics.
- Comparison of elite water-skiers' characteristics with other athletic populations.
Main Results:
- Water-skiing involves extreme upper body torques and sustained isometric contractions.
- The anaerobic system is significantly stressed during water-skiing.
- Elite skiers demonstrate physiological profiles consistent with highly trained athletes.
Conclusions:
- Water-skiing imposes substantial physiological stress, particularly on the anaerobic system.
- Elite water-skiers possess distinct physiological characteristics due to training.
- Further research is crucial to advance the understanding of water-skiing kinesiology, physiology, and conditioning.