Seasonal fluctuations of selected physiological characteristics of elite alpine skiers.

The effects of heavy resistance training and jumping exercise were examined during the 1989-1990 season in 12 international level alpine skiers. The athletes were tested before, during, immediately after training and during the period off training (June, July, October 1989, April 1990). Their mechanical behaviour was investigated using firstly squat jumps performed without (SJ) or with low extra loads (20 kg, SJ20kg) and high extra loads (equivalent to body mass on the shoulders, SJbm) and secondly 15-30 s continuous jumping. These tests allowed the assessment of explosive dynamic strength production (SJ and SJ20kg), slow dynamic strength (SJbm) and maximal mechanical power (continuous jumping). The training adopted resulted in specific changes in neuromuscular performance; in fact all the variables studied showed a significant improvement (P < 0.01) from the beginning compared to the end of training. The range of improvement was between 55.4% (SJbm) and 12.5% (average power during 15-s continuous jumping). The enhancement of SJ had become significant by July. Surprisingly, even when no strength or jumping training was performed during the competition period (November-April), no deterioration in the neuromuscular performance was observed, there being no significant difference between the test values obtained in October 1989 and April 1990. It was concluded that the demanding competition programme of alpine skiers may provide a training stimulus adequate to maintain the neuromuscular improvement induced by training throughout the competition season.