Comparisons of Center of Mass and Lower Extremity Kinematic Patterns between Carved and Basic Parallel Turn during Alpine Skiing

This study investigated the center of mass and lower extremity kinematic patterns between carved and basic paralell turn during alpine skiing. Six experienced skiers (age: 20.67±4.72yrs , body mass: 72.67±7.15kg , height: 171.00±5.51cm ) participated in this study. Each skier were asked to perform carved and basic paralell turn on a 22.95∘ groomed slope. Each turn was divided into the initiation phase, steering phase 1 and 2. The results of this study show that the carved turn spent significantly less running time than basic paralell turn at all three phases (p<.05). Also vertical displacement of the center of mass was significantly greater in carved turn at all three phases, whereas inward leaning angle of the center of mass was significantly greater in carved turn at the steering phase 1 and 2 (p<.05). Bilateral knee and hip joint angle were significantly greater in basic paralell turn at the initiation phase and the steering phase 2 (p<.05). On the other hand, left knee and hip joint angle were significantly greater in basic paralell turn at the steering phase 1 (p<.05). In order to perform successful carved turn, we suggest that skiers should coordinate bilateral knee and hip joint angles to adjust the center of mass, depending on three ski turn phases.