Testing for jumping power in figure skaters

Abstract

The purpose of the investigation was to contrast and compare tests of jumping power in figure skaters. Twenty two Canadian Figure Skating Association (C.F.S.A.) test stream figure skaters, qualified at a Senior Bronze Freeskate Test Level or above volunteered as subjects. The mean age and years of figure skating training was 13.9 and 7 years respectively. Power measurements taken from the force platform were compared to estimates of power taken from laboratory jump tests and on-ice jumping performances. Correlations between empirical power measures and both laboratory and on-ice jumping power values were significant. In the past, the "gold standard" laboratory jump scores have been employed as measures of jumping ability in figure skaters. The results of the present research does not support the use of the jump scores from the vertical jump-and-reach test and the standing long jump to predict or estimate on-ice jumping ability. These two tests do not seem to be representative of the performance of on-ice jumping power. However, when the jump scores were used to calculate power, estimations of power from both on-ice performances and the laboratory jump tests correlated significantly with each other as well as with the empirical measure of power respectively. In conclusion, based upon the results of this investigation, the reported on-ice analysis ofjumping power offers the possibility of an alternative assessment of evaluating power in figure skaters. Optimally, a field test to assess power output, that could be administered by the coaches at the practice site may be established as a coaching tool to assist in establishing training loads and monitor the progress of the skater’s jumping ability.