Alpine Skiing

The purpose of the study was to examine and then create a fuller picture of sports-related anxiety and stress in the ski-racing world, while also comparing the different anxiety levels between Alpine and Cross-country skiers. This study is based on previous research and theories regarding multiple types of sports situational anxiety, as well as the “Flow” mental state. This study focuses on various types of anxiety and how they affect ski-racing athletes. With the help and references of previous studies, the levels of anxiety measured were Somatic, Self-talk, Confidence, Paralysis by Analysis, and total anxiety, while also including an analysis of their experiences in Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s famous “Flow” state. A questionnaire, based on different individual studies regarding the areas mentioned above, was used to explore and map the anxiety levels of 17 Swedish skiers with an average competition experience of 10 years. There were eight athletes from alpine and nine from cross-country. The questionnaire also took into account multiple variables such as: age, and world ranking. The results showed that higher Somatic anxiety, Negative self-talk, mixed anxiety, and total anxiety led to worse ski results as well as a higher world ranking. Higher confidence (in crosscountry) and higher chances to over-analyze (in alpine) were not linked to higher world ranking. Further testing showed that Alpine skiers had a higher total mean of anxiety than cross-country skiers while also having a slightly lower world-ranking mean. In addition to having a higher total mean of anxiety, alpine skiers showed higher levels of anxiety than cross-country skiers in regards to somatic, confidence, and mixed anxiety. Cross-country skiers showed higher levels of anxiety in selftalk and over-analyzing. Both alpine and cross-country athletes experienced similar experiences in “Flow” to those documented of professional athletes as well as confirming 6 of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s 8 elements of Flow. However, how well the results reflect the reality cannot be completely determined considering a relatively low number of participants and a high risk of socially desirable responses.

Cartea ordonează informațiile legate de schi, apărute deopotrivă în presă, lumea sportivă, economică, financiară, cărți și site-uri de specialitate. În cadrul acesteia se remarcă o clasificare originală a ramurilor și disciplinelor schiului după cum urmează: disciplinele olimpice, schiul practicat în afara pârtiilor, schiul mixt - ca expresie a încrucișării acestuia cu un alt sport, schiul adaptat unor alte medii naturale și artificiale precum cel indoor ori pe simulatoare.
Finalul cărții este consacrat analizei dezvoltării schiului pe plan mondial, european și național, cu accent pe infrastructura specifică.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether a ski helmet interferes with the sound localization and the time of sound perception in the frontal plane. Material and Methods: Twenty-three participants (age 30.7±10.2) were tested on the slope in 2 conditions, with and without wearing the ski helmet, by 6 different spatially distributed sound stimuli per each condition. Each of the subjects had to react when hearing the sound as soon as possible and to signalize the cor- rect side of the sound arrival. Results: The results showed a significant difference in the ability to localize the specific ski sounds; 72.5±15.6% of correct answers without a helmet vs. 61.3±16.2% with a helmet (p < 0.01). However, the perfor- mance on this test did not depend on whether they were used to wearing a helmet (p = 0.89). In identifying the timing, at which the sound was firstly perceived, the results were also in favor of the subjects not wearing a helmet. The subjects reported hearing the ski sound clues at 73.4±5.56 m without a helmet vs. 60.29±6.34 m with a helmet (p < 0.001). In that case the results did depend on previously used helmets (p < 0.05), meaning that that regular usage of helmets might help to diminish the attenuation of the sound identification that occurs because of the helmets. Conclusions: Ski helmets might limit the ability of a skier to localize the direction of the sounds of danger and might interfere with the moment, in which the sound is firstly heard.
Key words: Skiing, Ski helmet, Sound localization, Hearing

Over this edition of BASI News
and the next, Dr Peter Allison
shares his observations on the
BASI Quality Assurance Process
he viewed in action when he
attended the Hintertux Spring
Courses to undertake the quality
assurance for the alignment
process.

Sport provides many youth participants with a central life project, and yet very few eventually fulfil their athletic dreams, which may lead them to disengage from sport entirely. Many studies have explored the processes of athletic retirement, but little is known about how youth athletes actually reconstruct their relationship with sport and embodiment post-retirement. We explored these issues in the story of ‘Pilvi’, a Finnish alpine skier who disengaged from sport in her late adolescence. Employing an existential-phenomenological approach, we conducted six low-structured interviews with Pilvi, combined with visual methods, and identified key themes relating to the body, space, culture and time. Our findings highlight the difficulty of building a new relationship with sport and the often restrictive cultural horizons of sport and exercise culture that limit the ‘possible selves’. We discuss the significant implications for applied practitioners helping youth athletes and effectively supporting them in leaving their sport.

The samples of subjects tested are aged 12±5 and 19±1. Athletes are components of alpine ski groups within School sports clubs. The experimental group comprises athletes from Gheorgheni, Baia-Sprie, and FEFS and the control group consists of athletes from Topliţa, Sibiu, Predeal, Sinaia. Through this study, we analyzed the influence of mental training on the increase in focused attention and manual response in skiers. It is known that motor coordination and reactivity are very important in alpine skiing, (Chiș & Havatzelet, 2008). If the two components are not developed until they are fully mastered, it is impossible to achieve great results in alpine skiing. We recorded and tested the coordination between segments and the hand coordination within this study. In the experimental group, mental training techniques were applied, but not in the control group. The difference between the results is due to our intervention consisting in applying mental imagery in the most important technical elements within alpine skiing, (Akyürek, Schubö & Hommel, 2013).

The ski beginner’s attitude toward skiing can potentially affect the suc- cess of basic alpine ski learning. This research aimed at determining the influence of alpine ski learning toward recreational alpine skiing. It in- cluded 136 alpine ski beginners (41 females and 95 males), with no previ- ous knowledge of alpine skiing. The 26 item scale questionnaire was con- structed for the purposes of this research, with both positive and negative statements toward skiing. The Likert’s scale type of questionnaire was fulfilled twice during this research; initially before the start of alpine ski school, and finally at the end of the seven day alpine ski school. Out of 26 claims, positively directed differences between initial and final testing, leading to attitude change were detected in 20 claims. Male participants included in this study had initially more positive attitude toward alpine skiing than female participants (Mean 106.6 vs. 100.7, respectively), but after completion of seven day alpine ski school program, both female and male participants attitude became more positive (Mean 110.7 vs. 109.4, respectively). Specifically, alpine ski school program exerted positive ef- fect on attitude change toward mountain environment (p=0.01) and win- ter weather (p=0.04). Because of the sedentary way in which today's chil- dren and young people spend their free time, it is of utmost importance not only to interest them in physical activity in start, but also to maintain their interest in physical activity through formation of positive attitude toward it. Our results show how alpine ski program can positively affect ski beginner’s attitude toward alpine skiing and how ski instructors, through simple questionnaire can identify potential obstacles and fears of their pupils in order to choose the appropriate approach of basic ski learning.
Keywords: attitudes, ski beginners, alpine skiing, physical activity

Mountains are sources of awe-inspiring vistas, thrilling downhill adventures, and intrinsic environmental beauty. Mountain resorts are becoming ever more prolific across the world; from historical villages in Europe, to destination resorts in the Rockies, to brand new mega-resorts in China; the mountain sport industry is more popular than ever. However, the large resort corporations that now dominate mountain landscapes sideline the connection to their surroundings for increased profits, larger trails, and more invasive infrastructure.

Synonymous with skiing, the town of Aspen has long been on the forefront of resort design, village community life, and environmental stewardship. The nearby Snowmass Mountain is an all-around diverse mountain in terms of terrain and amenities. While Snowmass boasts a unique on-slope village relationship - extending halfway up the mountain - there remains disconnect between people and their surroundings. This physical and spiritual divorce from the landscape stems from a fundamental flaw in the way people participate in mountain sports. The built environment does little to encourage users to interact with each other, with nature, and with the greater network of mountain sport communities.

Numerous surveys suggest the number one reason why people don’t go to the mountain is because they have no one to go with. This issue arises from the lack of interpersonal connections and causes athletes and enthusiasts alike to ignore why they participate in mountain sports: the thrill of experiencing such extreme terrain.

The purpose of Project_Summit is to find a way to accentuate the beautiful mountain landscape through architecture and reinvigorate the users about the activities, community, and environment in which they partake. Four modes of social connectivity are made possible by the small, light-handed architectural interventions proposed on Snowmass Mountain: connecting with oneself, one’s peers, the environment, and the larger community through an enhanced digital presence. Through careful criteria and guidelines for siting, design, and programming, the hope is Project_Summit can be applied to any environment in need of connection to its users.

Mountains have occupied a central place in German, Swiss, and Austrian intellectual culture for centuries. This volume offers the first scholarly English translations of thirteen key texts from the Germanophone tradition of engagement with mountains. The selected texts span over 450 years, ranging from the early modern period to the postmodern era, and encompass several discursive modes of the mountain experience including geographical descriptions, philosophical meditations, aesthetic deliberations, and autobiographical climbing narratives. Well-known figures covered in this translational sourcebook include Conrad Gessner, Johann Jakob Scheuchzer, G.W.F. Hegel, Alexander von Humboldt, Georg Simmel, Leni Riefenstahl, and Reinhold Messner. Each text is accompanied by a critical introduction that places the translated text within a broader cultural context. The dual translational-interpretational approach offered in this volume is intended to stimulate new international and interdisciplinary dialogue on the cultural history of mountains and mountaineering.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate alpine skiing injuries in terms of individual precaution responsibility in the Kayseri Erciyes Ski Centre. Material and Methods: This study was performed retrospectively; using data collected by ski patrollers and medical staffs of Erciyes Ski Centre between 2012 and 2017. During this period, 690 injury cases in alpine skiing were analyzed in terms of individual precautions. Results: The analysis of demographic data revealed that 397 (57.5%) of the injured skiers were males and 293 (42.5%) were females, with a mean age of 27.1±10.6 years. It was found that 614 (89.0%) of the injured skiers had used the right and protective clothing, boots, poles, and bindings for alpine skiing, while the remaining 76 (11.0%) cases had not. Only 126 (18.3%) of the cases had been wearing helmets and 564 (81.7%) cases had not. According to skiing experience levels, 344 (49.9%) of the injured skiers were beginner level, 293 (42.5%) were intermediate level, and 53 (7.6%) were advanced and expert level. Conclusion: As a result of the research, ski equipment usage of the injured skiers was at an optimum rate, but helmet-usage rate was considerably low. In the context of individual precautions in alpine skiing injuries, the importance of protective helmets in alpine skiing should be explained to the skiers, to increase helmet-usage rates. In addition, our findings indicate that the number of injured cases decreased proportionately with increasing skill and experience level. Therefore, more support should be given about skiing injury and individual precautions for beginner and intermediate level skiers. ÖZ Amaç: Araştırmanın amacı, alp disiplini kayak yaparken meydana gelen yaralanma vakalarının bireysel güvenlik tedbirleri açısından incelenmesidir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Araştırmada 2012-2017 yılları arasında Kayseri Erciyes Kayak Merkezi'nde kayak yaparken meydana gelen yaralanmalara ilişkin bilgiler arşiv taraması yapılarak elde edildi. Tıbbi müdahale gerektiren yaralanma vakalarına ait bilgi formlarında yer alan demografik bilgiler ve güvenlik tedbirleri ile ilgili veriler analiz edildi. Bulgular: Araştırmada beş kayak sezonu boyunca resmi kayıtlara geçen 397 (%57.5) erkek ve 293 (%42.5) kadın olmak üzere toplam 690 yaralanma vakasının meydana geldiği belirlendi. Yaralanma vakalarında yaş ortalamasının 27.1±10.6 yıl olduğu saptandı. Kullanılan kayak ekipmanları bakımından 614 (%89.0) olguda alp disiplini kayağa uygun kıyafet, bot ve bağlama kullandığı; 76 (%11.0) olguda ise uygun ekipman kullanılmadığı ortaya kondu. Kask kullanımı bakımından 126 (%18.3) vakada kask takıldığı, 564 (%81.7) vakada ise takılmadığı belirlendi. Kaymaya yeni başlayan deneyimsiz kayakçılarda 344

INTRODUCTION: Differences in anthropological characteristics of men and women could influence the success of ski learning if different methods of teaching are applied (Lesnik&Zvan, 2010). The aim of this study is to determine the difference between achieved knowledge in skiing for women and man applying parallel and snowplow (combination method-CM) or only parallel ski technique (direct method-DM).
METHOD: Alpine skiing novices were taught during seven days ski school (30 women and 96 men, average age 23.3±1.66). Within the male and female group one subgroup learned by applying CM and one by applying DM. The examinees of both programs had the same conditions during learning, considering: the size of the group, hours of learning and training, equipment, terrains, quality and education of teachers. After the program end, examinees were joined into one group and had to demonstrate seven elements of ski technique. On the basis of grades, the level of ski knowledge was determined. To determine statistically significant difference between two groups of examinees concerning the method of learning ANOVA was used. Eventual existence of difference was determined by Fisher test. Factor analysis was used with the aim of isolating components that represent skiing knowledge. In order to determine statistical significance of differences between the two learning programs, considering the obtained main components of skiing knowledge, Student t-test was used.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference in achieving skiing knowledge through CM or DM for women. Males showed significant difference in the knowledge of traversing to the right (p=0.03), short (p=0.00) and parallel turn (p=0.01). Therefore CM proved more efficient. Through factor analysis seven main components were extracted, and first defined as total skiing knowledge was compared on two programs. Significant difference was determined in the level of total skiing knowledge for men learning to ski through CM (p=0.01). No difference in total skiing knowledge related to the learning program was determined for women.
DISCUSSION: To teach beginners skiing, teachers are trying to find the best way of transferring knowledge (LeMaster, 2009). The problem is not only in recognizing the efficient program, but also in recruiting participants who would benefit most. One of the factors that can affect learning is sex. Because of the differences between men and women in motor abilities and psychological characteristics, it is possible that male compared to female beginners, are reacting differently to the same learning program. In this research two programs were tested. The results showed that women did not learn ski technique significantly different by neither CM nor DM. However, men in the absence of the snowplow ski technique progressed less.
CONCLUSION: This study showed that through CM men achieved better results. It means that while forming ski groups for beginner skiers it isn't necessary to separate men and women, since women will advance regardless of the two applied learning methods.
KEY WORDS: women, men, beginner skiers, learning methods

Leisure constraint research has been prominent within the leisure field since the mid 1960s. Constraints to participation are generally categorised as intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural. Previous research has addressed snowsports (e.g., skiing and snow boarding) in limited ways. This study is concerned with Physical Education students as tourists and the implications of their experiences of taking students on ski courses (often overseas) in their subsequent careers as PE teachers. The current study involved interviewing (n=36) students training to teach Physical Education within a UK higher education institution. Participants were grouped by sex and whether or not they had previously participated in snowsports. Interviews were analysed for both deductive themes (from the above mentioned three categories) and inductive themes. Findings suggest that issues concerning “time”, “hassle”, and “anticipation of expense” were of little relevance while interpersonal issues were the main consideration. Implications for snowsport development and encouragement are discussed and suggestions for further research made.

This paper aims to provide an overview of the current and projected future situation of winter tourism in Austria. Particularly high attention is given to the effects of climate change, and more precisely the raise of temperature and the reduction of snow precipitation in winter months on the number of arrivals and overnight stays. For the scope of this paper, the actual situation of winter tourism in Austria and its importance to the national economy is explained in detail.