Interrelation of postural characteristics in racing skiers within training system

Objective: to reveal specifics of erect posture maintenance in highly qualified racing skiers. The research involved racing skiers (young males qualified as Candidate Masters of Sports, 18-22 years old). Stabilometrical study was performed on computer complex for balance disorder diagnostics and rehabilitation “MBN - Stabilo” including specialized stabilometer that registers plane projection of athlete body pressure center and records its deviations in time and coordinate system considering foot position relative to absolute position. Exa-mined athlete was subjected to 2 tests, each of 30 sec: standing normal with his eyes open (NS OE) and standing normal with his eyes shut (NS SE). Studies with “MBN 3D Scanner” allowed of registering parameters of spinal deformity (optical labeling of bone markers in parietal part, top of C2 spinous processes, middle part of cervical spine, C7, Th1-L5 vertebrae, acromial processes of shoulder-blades, superior anterior and posterior iliac horns). Obtained results (with the means of statistical software STATISTICA 10) were subjected to correlation analysis (we calculated Pearson correlation coefficients and estimated their significance). The following significant correlations were revealed: velocity of general pressure center movement & stability index in NS OE test (r = -0.94, p ≤ 0.05); velocity of general pressure center movement & frontal angle of lumbar spine in NS OE test (r = -0.96, p ≤ 0.05); area of statokinesiogram & sagittal angle of cervical spine (r = 0.95, p ≤ 0.05); area of statokinesiogram in NS SE test & sagittal angle of pelvis (r = 0.97, p ≤ 0.05); stability index & frontal angle of cervical spine (r = 0.95, p ≤ 0.05); stability index & frontal angle of lumbar spine (r = 0.96, p ≤ 0.05). Stability degree in athletes is correlated mainly with condition level. Professional sporting activity involving complex-coordinated accented cyclic movements causes changes in equilibrium control strategy. In our research we revealed obvious changes in equilibrium control strategy formed with training of skiers, and defined “ski stance” as a natural and “comfortable” one for these athletes. Further research, analysis of skeletal muscle strength characteristics in particular, will allow of drawing up “skier body diagram” and estimating the influence of specific locomotor deformities on statokinetic stability.