FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT |
A musculoskeletal & functional movement screening specifically designed to assess the most crucial physical attributes necessary for athletes to progress technically and safely in freestyle skiing.
This screening also identifies many of the key functional/physical flaws which may be preventing athletes from executing the skiing skills they’re being asked to by coaches.
This screening identifies key weaknesses in functional strength and mobility which are academically proven to increase an athletes chance of a number of pathologies including (but not limited to) ALC rupture, idiopathic knee pathologies and pathologies associated with lower back pain including stress fractures.
Historically, this data (flaws especially leading to injury or low load tolerance) has not been identified until athletes enter the institute programs at which time they are held back from the expected training and competition load expected at that level for their first year in the institute system. Identifying and addressing such physical deficiencies at the emerging level should in theory allow for a more successful transition of athletes into institute programs
This screening also identifies many of the key functional/physical flaws which may be preventing athletes from executing the skiing skills they’re being asked to by coaches.
This screening identifies key weaknesses in functional strength and mobility which are academically proven to increase an athletes chance of a number of pathologies including (but not limited to) ALC rupture, idiopathic knee pathologies and pathologies associated with lower back pain including stress fractures.
Historically, this data (flaws especially leading to injury or low load tolerance) has not been identified until athletes enter the institute programs at which time they are held back from the expected training and competition load expected at that level for their first year in the institute system. Identifying and addressing such physical deficiencies at the emerging level should in theory allow for a more successful transition of athletes into institute programs
Assessment / screening rubric
(To be completed by a sports physiotherapist or exercise physiologist only)
FUNCTIONAL SCREENING TESTS ASSESSED:
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DL squat
This test assesses functional strength as well joint mobility and multi joint kinematics. SL squat This test assesses some functional strength qualities, which are fundamentally essential for athletes to perform fundamental skill movements on and off skis. It highlights functional imbalances between both lower limbs. This test is also an indicator of an athlete's vulnerability to acute and load related lower limb injury. DL landing This test assesses some multi joint kinematics qualities, which are fundamentally essential for athletes to safely perform fundamental skills on and off skis. This test is also an indicator of an athlete's vulnerability to acute and load related lower limb injury. Hop for distance This test assesses lower limb power production AND multi joint kinematics qualities, which are fundamentally essential for athletes to safely perform fundamental skills on and off skis. It highlights functional and power imbalances between both lower limbs. |
Sit & Reach
This tests mobility of the hamstrings and spine, which is crucial in an athlete's physical health to prevent acute and load related injuries and improve movement quality. Knee to wall This tests the mobility of the ankle joint in dorsiflexion, which can be a limiting factor in an athlete's multi joint kinematics, for example potential range in a squat or mogul absorption. Shoulder flexion This tests the mobility of the shoulder joint in flexion, which can be a limiting factor in an athlete's postural requirements in acrobatics as well as overhead positions required in S&C training. |
