The effect of physical training on snowboarders' balance and jump performance.

Abstract

The physical characteristics of snowboarders and methods of their improvement are not widely described in the scientific literature. Snowboarding is less studied compared to alpine skiing. Most research on snowboarding is limited by athlete injuries and biomechanical factors. Aim - to determine the effects of a balance-specific training program on snowboarders’ balance and jump performance indicators. Objectives: 1. To explore and analyze changes in balance and jump performance before and after the intervention; 2. To compare the performance of men and women before and after the intervention; 3. To determine the impact of a specific training program designed to improve snowboarders' balance and stability. Hypothesis - after a two-month physical fitness training, balance and jump performance indicators will show statistically significant improvement. Methods: analysis of scientific literature, testing of subjects (n = 15), who were active amateur athletes who regularly train during the winter season and participate in competitions, with the Biodex Balance System, Y-Balance, CMJ and DJ tests before and after the 8-week intervention; statistical analysis of the data with the JASP 0.19.3 software. Results - significant improvement were found in dynamic balance after the intervention in both male and female groups. Stability and sway indexes also improved in the male group. In the female group, significant changes were recorded in the changes of the Drop Jump test results. In the male group, there was only a slight change in the parameters of the Drop jump test results, with a significant change in the results of the maximal force. No significant changes were found in the Countermovement jump test. Conclusions: 1. After 8 weeks of the physical training programme, the snowboarders' balance parameters improved significantly and the jump results showed a partial positive change with a significant improvement in the Drop Jump test, such as jump height, maximum force and rebound velocity, but the results of the CMJ test did not reach statistical significance. 2. In both male and female groups, an improvement in balance performance was recorded, but males showed a greater progress in balance performance, while females showed a greater improvement in jumping ability. 3. A specific training programme aimed at improving balance and stability over a period of 8 weeks had a positive effect on the snowboarders' balance abilities, with a particular improvement in dynamic and static balance, confirming the effectiveness of the programme