OFF SEASON TRAINING PROGRAM WITH NOVICE SYNCHRONIZED SKATERS

Synchronized skating is the youngest figure skating discipline by having its first world championships held in 2000. In Finland synchronized skating has spread across the country and has great number of amateur teams. Competition program consists of basic required elements such as circle, block, intersection, wheel, move element and creative element. Choreography, music and theme has a big role in the sport. Skater needs to be able to keep up high level and demanding technical elements while performing difficult, even dance type of choreography and all in perfect unison with 15 other skaters. In this thesis the aim was to create a test battery that met the demands and requirements in advanced novice level synchronized skating. This thesis was made in co-operation with Turun Riennon Taitoluistelu skating club and their advanced novice team Filiae Aboenses. There was a need to test skaters' qualities to lower the risk of possible injuries that may occur due to the high amount of practice hours. Test moves were decided to be as sport specific as possible. Based on the test results feedback was given to both coaches and skaters. The findings on the test showed poor pelvic area control, hip – knee – and ankle alignment problems and lack of flexibility in posterior kinetic chain. Based on the results gotten from the test, off-season training program was created. The goal was to increase pelvic area control and add flexibility to posterior kinetic chain to meet sport requirements. The program was carried out during skaters’ individual summer training season. Training program needed to be planned carefully so that it could be done in home setting and without equipment. There is very little or no earlier knowledge or studies to show how to test synchronized skaters' qualities. There for this study, test battery and training program should help other professionals when working in this field