Complete Physiological tests for Elite Youth Alpine & Cross Country Skiers

In a recent mission on 17.05, our Sports Medical Mobile unit travelled to the city of Larissa to complete a physiological profile assessment of a number of national level youth winter sport athletes. In total, 8 sports excellence scientific staff collaborated to evaluate 26 athletes which included 15 winter biathletes and 11 alpine skiers.

Athletes were assessed in all critical aspects of athletic skills and competences. Tests ranged from a complete anthropometric measurement, power assessments using Opto Jump technology and the Kistler force plate, incremental step tests, and treadmill assessments of maximal aerobic capacity (V̇O2MAX). The scientific data and results provide coaches with useful information to optimally design training to improve athlete performance.

The ‘Sports Excellence’ initiative is an innovative program for the development and support of athletes, implemented in collaboration with the non-profit organisation ‘Regeneration and Progress’, and under the scientific supervision of the 1st Orthopaedic Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Funding is provided via an exclusive grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.