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Reports on a recent study of Chesapeake Bay watermen, which indicates a possible association between long-term exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet B rays and risk of cataract development. Authorities recommend protective lenses for outdoor athletes, especially those involved in winter sports. (SM)

Although the Paralympic Games have been around for over 60 years, women remain underrepresented in almost all aspects of the Paralympic Movement. It has been suggested that a way to increase women's involvement is through the implementation of mixed-gender events. On paper, this approach makes sense. However, when it comes to the implementation of mixed-gender opportunities for women, it is less clear how effective these events are in increasing participation by women in Para sport. Through document analysis and interviews with athletes and organizers of mixed-gender Paralympic sport, we explore the various strategies that four mixed-gender sports have used to address the issue of gender parity. Using critical feminist theories, we illustrate how larger social, political, and cultural ideas about gender influence women's experiences within these events and discuss the potential of using mixed-gender initiatives to address gender parity within the Paralympic Movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate sleep is crucial for elite athletes' recovery, performance readiness, and immune response. Establishing reference ranges for elite athletes enables appropriate contextualization for designing and targeting sleep interventions. Purpose: To establish sleep-quality reference ranges for Olympic and Paralympic cohorts using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and explore differences based on sex and sport types. Methods: Team USA athletes (men = 805, women = 798) completed the PSQI as part of a health-history questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to create reference ranges and linear models, and χ2 test of independence determined differences in PSQI global and component scores between sex, games, season, and participation. Results: Six hundred thirty-two (39.43%) athletes reported poor sleep (PSQIGlobal ≥ 5). Men displayed later bedtimes (P =.006), better global PSQI scores, shorter sleep latency, less sleep disturbance, and less use of sleep medication than women (all P <.001). Winter Games participants had later bedtime (P =.036) and sleep offset time (P =.028) compared with Summer Games athletes. Team-sport athletes woke earlier than individual-sport athletes (P <.001). Individual-sport athletes were more likely to have low (P =.005) and mild (P =.045) risk for reduced sleep duration than team-sport athletes. Conclusion: These data provide PSQI-specific reference ranges to identify groups at greatest risk for poor sleep, who may benefit most from targeted sleep interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether competitive performance, as defined by International Biathlon Union (IBU) and International Ski Federation (FIS) points in biathlon and cross-country (XC) skiing, respectively, can be projected using a combination of anthropometric and physiological metrics. Shooting accuracy was also included in the biathlon models. Methods: Data were analyzed using multivariate methods from 45 (23 female and 22 male) biathletes and 202 (86 female and 116 male) XC skiers who were all members of senior national teams, national development teams, or ski-university or high school invite-only programs (age range: 16–36 y). Anthropometric and physiological characteristics were assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and incremental roller-ski treadmill tests, respectively. Shooting accuracy was assessed via an outdoor standardized testing protocol. Results: Valid projective models were identified for female biathletes' IBU points (R2 =.80/Q2 =.65) and female XC skiers' FIS distance (R2 =.81/Q2 =.74) and sprint (R2 =.81/Q2 =.70) points. No valid models were identified for the men. The most important variables for the projection of IBU points were shooting accuracy, speeds at blood lactate concentrations of 4 and 2 mmol·L−1, peak aerobic power, and lean mass. The most important variables for the projection of FIS distance and sprint points were speeds at blood lactate concentrations of 4 and 2 mmol·L−1 and peak aerobic power. Conclusions: This study highlights the relative importance of specific anthropometric, physiological, and shooting-accuracy metrics in female biathletes and XC skiers. The data can help to identify the specific metrics that should be targeted when monitoring athletes' progression and designing training plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study aims to examine changes in the lower limb joint kinematic profile and performance stability induced by repeated ski runs in two world‐class alpine skiers. Two Olympic medallist alpine skiers were tested during their slalom training, with continuous recording of right knee and hip angles, along with turn time and run time. The eight runs of the training session were analysed with linear mixed models. Results showed no effect of runs repetition on performance (i.e., run and turn time; P ≥ 0.279). There was no global effect of runs repetition on minimal and maximal angles for either the knee or the hip (P > 0.151). There was an interaction between run and leg for the maximal angle of both the knee and hip (P ≤ 0.047), which increased across runs for the outside leg and decreased for the inside leg. The maximal angular velocity for both the knee and hip increased with runs repetition in extension (P ≤ 0.028). There were no overall changes in maximal angular velocity in flexion with runs repetition (P ≥ 0.264), but there was an interaction between run and leg for the knee (P < 0.001) due to faster eccentric velocities across runs for the outside leg and slower velocities for the inside leg. In conclusion, the observed joint kinematic alterations without concomitant performance impairment support the concept of multiple movement strategies in athletes to achieve similar performance, especially under fatigue conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Between 3 and 15% of winter sports–related injuries are related to head injuries, which are the primary cause of mortality and disability among skiers. Despite the widespread adoption of helmets in winter sports, which has reduced the incidence of direct head injury, there is a paradoxical trend of an increasing number of individuals wearing helmets sustaining diffuse axonal injuries (DAI), which can result in severe neurologic sequelae. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 100 cases collected by the senior author of this work from 13 full winter seasons during the period from 1981 to 1993 and compared them with 17 patients admitted during the more shortened 2019 to 2020 ski season due to COVID-19. All data analyzed come from a single institution. Population characteristics, mechanism of injury, helmet use, need for surgical treatment, diagnosis, and outcome were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the two databases. Results From February 1981 to January 2020, most skiers with head injuries were men (76% for the 1981–1993 and 85% for 2020). The proportion of patients aged over 50 increased from <20% in 1981 to 65% in 2020 (p < 0.01), with a median age of 60 years (range: 22–83 years). Low- to medium-velocity injuries were identified in 76% (13) of cases during the 2019 to 2020 season against 38% (28/74) during the 1981 to 1993 seasons (p < 0.01). All injured patients during the 2020 season wore a helmet, whereas none of the patients between 1981 and 1993 wore one (p < 0.01). DAI was observed in six cases (35%) for the 2019 to 2020 season against nine cases (9%) for the 1981 to 1993 season (p < 0.01). Thirty-four percent (34) of patients during the 1981 to 1993 seasons and 18% (3) of patients during the 2019 to 2020 season suffered skeletal fractures (p = 0.02). Among the 100 patients of the 1981 to 1993 seasons, 13 (13%) died against 1 (6%) from the recent season during care at the hospital (p = 0.15). Neurosurgical intervention was performed in 30 (30%) and 2 (12%) patients for the 1981 to 1993 and 2019 to 2020 seasons, respectively (p = 0.003). Neuropsychological sequelae were reported in 17% (7/42) of patients from the 1981 to 1993 seasons and cognitive evaluation before discharge detected significant impairments in 24% (4/17) of the patients from the 2019 to 2020 season (p = 0.29). Conclusion Helmet use among skiers sustaining head trauma has increased from none in the period from 1981 to 1993 to 100% during the 2019 to 2020 season, resulting in a reduction in the number of skull fractures and deaths. However, our observations suggest a marked shift in the type of intracranial injuries sustained, including a rise in the number of skiers experiencing DAI, sometimes with severe neurologic outcomes. The reasons for this paradoxical trend can only be speculated upon, leading to the question of whether the perceived benefits of helmet use in winter sports are actually misinterpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Uphill ski mountaineering performance appears to be related to metabolic cost of locomotion and skiers' weight. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of slight variations in equipment weight on metabolic and mechanical work (MW) of ski mountaineering, at race pace. Methods: Thirteen male ski mountaineers were asked to ski on a treadmill at 25% slope and 80% of their maximal aerobic speed. They completed four 5-min bouts with additional weights of 0 kg (control), 0.2 kg, 0.4 kg, and 0.6 kg added to each ski boot in a blind mode and random order. Ski mountaineering energy cost (EC) was determined by gas exchange measurements, while MW was determined from the changes in the mechanical energy of body centre of mass (COM), body segments and equipment. Results: EC and total MW were significantly (all p < 0.001) and largely (η2 = 0.712 and η2 = 0.704, respectively) increased for every 0.2 kg of mass added, by around 2% and 1%, respectively. The increase in the MW was related to a significant increase in the work needed to lift the weight against gravity and to the increased work done to move the segments of the lower body with respect to COM. Conclusion: The present investigation shows that even small increments in racing gear weight are associated with an increase in ski mountaineering EC, possibly leading to a consequent decreased performance on uphill terrains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outdoor physical activities and sports are growing in popularity: number of practitioners and professionals are increasing and number of active sport tourism businesses has multiplied. All these activities have become officialised, have grown into an emerging industry and play a powerful role as an economic driver. Qualified instructors are needed, as well as quality training for these professionals. This study focuses on climbing, mountaineering and winter sports instructor qualifications. Drawing on Bernstein's framework of the pedagogic device and with a particular focus on marketisation of education and professionalisation of sport, the purpose of this research is to explore the following questions: (a) How do stakeholders perceive the current mountaineering, climbing and winter sports curriculum and what are the main lines of improvement of the curriculum? (b) Does the curriculum meet the knowledge required by instructors in their occupations? And (c) What is the logic and awareness underlying the construction of the curriculum? Following a social-constructivist paradigm, in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus groups were carried out, with a sample of 46 key involved stakeholders. The data coding approach and theme development were done both inductively and deductively and with a latent and semantic focus, following thematic analysis. Participants specify clear lines of improvement of qualifications: stakeholders involved in curricular updating, the general structure of qualifications, admission tests, assessment, internships, model of the teacher and also highlighted some training gaps to be resolved due to qualifications breakdown. It is noted that curriculum updating follows a 'top-down' policy demand, that there is a marketisation of the qualifications that is evident in admission tests, assessment and internships. This study provides a critical and in-depth analysis based on the views of a variety of stakeholders that should be taken into consideration for the improvement of the curriculum of climbing, mountaineering and winter sports instructors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air Force pilots and some athletes (e.g., in sledding sports) are frequently exposed to high G-forces. High-intensity physical activity is essential to withstand gravitational acceleration, and morphological symmetry and functional movement are directly related to injury in those who perform these activities. However, the relationship between G-endurance and physical imbalance and the effect on physical performance is poorly understood. This study aimed to analyze the physical performance of those exposed to a high load of G-tolerance and who performed high-intensity physical activity. A total of 363 male cadets from the Korean Air Force Academy underwent functional movement screen tests, anatomical structure measurements, G-tests (fourth grade), and body composition and physical fitness tests. Participants were classified into the G-test-pass and -fail groups depending on the G-test results. The pass group showed significantly different bilateral imbalance in active straight leg raises (p < 0.05), while the fail group showed a significant difference in deep squats (p < 0.05), shoulder mobility (p < 0.01), rotary stability (p < 0.05), and functional leg length (p < 0.05). Leg length was significantly correlated with the hurdle step (p < 0.01), inline lunge (p < 0.01), and active straight leg raise (p < 0.01). Functional leg lengths on both sides and structural leg lengths were also significantly correlated (p < 0.01). High body balance positively affects gravitational acceleration and exercise performance. Therefore, functional movement and physical imbalance affect performance in pilots affected by gravitational acceleration. This study can also be applied to strengthen the performance of winter sports athletes affected by gravitational acceleration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Snowboarding is an activity that appears to be gaining popularity among people who are interested in winter sports. The dynamic evolution of the method of snowboarding comes with it the risk of injuries, the consequences of which can be catastrophic. As a result of the fact that this sporting activity is distinguished by a diverse riding technique and calls for the use of specialized equipment, the mechanism of damage is also distinct from that which is known in, for instance, skiing. In addition, comparable to skiing, snowboarding has a subdiscipline that is linked with the execution of tricks and jumps. In a disproportionate manner, this raises the probability of an accident occurring. Wrist, shoulder, and ankle joints are among the most often injured structures in the body. Trauma to the brain and spine are remarkably uncommon, nonetheless, they are the ones that have the most serious repercussions. It is imperative that special attention be made to the avoidance of these incidents, which is why both medical professionals and proprietors of ski resorts stress the need of people wearing helmets and other protective gear, such as wrist guards. It is anticipated that the implementation of these techniques will lead to a decrease in the occurrence of the most common and serious forms of injuries, as well as a reduction in the strain placed on the organization that provides medical care. Aim of the study: This review aims to characterize the most common injuries acquired during snowboarding, analyze their mechanism and to show methods of prevention. Material and method: This article presents the current state of knowledge on snowboarding injuries, their mechanisms and prevention in various scientific articles. Publications describing injuries that occur while snowboarding were reviewed using the PubMed platform. The search included the keywords 'snowboard', 'injuries', 'fracture', 'trauma'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snow security plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of winter sports events and supporting the ski industry. One effective approach to enhancing snow reliability is through snow storage. Despite its potential benefits, investigations of snow storage in China have been limited. To address this gap, we implemented snow storage covered with geotextiles at two venues, namely the Big Air Shougang (BAS) in Beijing for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games and the National Biathlon Center (NBC) in Chongli for the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games, in response to possible extreme meteorological conditions. To assess the key concerns associated with snow storage, ablation (the process of snow loss) and snow properties, we introduced a fine-snow-pile monitoring system and the SNOWPACK model. Our observations revealed that, by 18 February, the snow pile at BAS had lost 158.6 m 3 of snow (equivalent to 6.7 % of the initial volume). Subsequently, the accelerated ablation was influenced by meteorological conditions and a thin geotextile layer. Between 16 January and 15 April, the snow pile at BAS experienced a total loss of 1242.9 m 3 of snow (corresponding to 52.7 % of the original volume). Regarding snow properties, no significant variations were modeled at the study sites, except for the upper part of the snow piles. Notably, the evaporation of the geotextiles contributed to slowing the ablation process. Consequently, we discourage the use of impermeable coverage schemes for snow storage. Instead, the thickness of the cover played a vital role in preserving the snow pile. At Beijing and Chongli, the 0.7 and 0.4 m thick cover layers, respectively, were found to protect approximately half of the snow pile height over the summer season. Importantly, the evolution of snow properties was consistent across the different cover thicknesses. The findings of our study have implications for the ski industry in China, as they provide valuable insights into snow storage techniques and their impact on snow reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extreme environment of winter sports significantly impacts the performance of athletes, leading to a need for clothing that meets composite functional requirements such as warmth, comfort, and protection to improve competition performance. Knitted fabrics for ice and snow sports with excellent heat and moisture performance were inspired by the water collection and transmission system used by the Moloch horridus. A bionic design model of multi-state fabric morphology was developed by using a topological derivation method and three-dimensional parametric surface modeling technology. The experimental results showed that the four single-sided three-dimensional fabrics have better moisture management characteristics and it is possible to achieve an excellent thermal insulation performance. The textile design application models based on this new design method can provide a feasible solution for developing high-performance textiles for winter sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Air Force pilots and some athletes (e.g., in sledding sports) are frequently exposed to high G-forces. High-intensity physical activity is essential to withstand gravitational acceleration, and morphological symmetry and functional movement are directly related to injury in those who perform these activities. However, the relationship between G-endurance and physical imbalance and the effect on physical performance is poorly understood. This study aimed to analyze the physical performance of those exposed to a high load of G-tolerance and who performed high-intensity physical activity. A total of 363 male cadets from the Korean Air Force Academy underwent functional movement screen tests, anatomical structure measurements, G-tests (fourth grade), and body composition and physical fitness tests. Participants were classified into the G-test-pass and -fail groups depending on the G-test results. The pass group showed significantly different bilateral imbalance in active straight leg raises (p

Low friction ice sliding interfaces were critical for ski performance optimization. Traditional fluorinated ski waxes have attracted considerable attention for enhancing the hydrophobicity, anti-wearing, and oxidation resistance of ski-ice base. However, the toxicity and complexity of the waxing process limited batch manufacturing of low-cost and non-toxic ski-ice base, what is more, the wax covering on the base wore and failed during skiing due to the friction between ski and ice. Herein, we demonstrated a novel ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite that could maintain a low coefficient of friction (COF) with about 0.026 for at least 160 min when skiing on the ice. Microcapsule (MS) could release liquid (liquid paraffin (LP)). The released LP further enhanced the hydrophobicity of UHMWPE's surfaces when friction occurred, which would maintain the stability and durability of the water film, and achieved superior and long-lasting friction resistance. Compared with other microcapsules with lower hydrophobic core, microcapsules with LP performed the best in reducing the friction of ski base from 0.126 to 0.024. Meanwhile, the COF of the surface kept at about 0.02 even after 12 rapid temperature changes. The presented UHMWPE composite of encapsulated liquids showed great potential and broad application owing to its simplicity and efficiency in winter sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ice and snow tourism in China has grown significantly since the country successfully hosted the Beijing Winter Olympics. Climatic conditions profoundly impact the development of ice and snow tourism; however, most studies have focused on constructing different climate suitability indicators for ice and snow tourism to evaluate individual regions, lacking horizontal comparative studies across multiple regions. This study aims to enrich the connotation of climate suitability for ice and snow sports, establish an evaluation model based on snowfall amount, temperature, and wind speed, and use daily meteorological data from 1991 to 2021 to horizontally compare the climate suitability for ice and snow sports in major ski tourism destinations in China. This study boasts four major findings: 1) the average ice and snow sports climate index of each region decreases over time, and the overall suitability of the climate for ice and snow sports is reducing; 2) northern Xinjiang exhibits the most evident regional differentiation from 'very suitable' to 'generally suitable'; 3) the spatial zoning of climate suitability for ice and snow sports exhibits heterogeneity, as northern Xinjiang is divided into two 'suitable and above' zones with rotating empirical orthogonal function (REOF). Correspondingly, the four provinces of Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning are divided into three 'generally suitable and above' zones; 4) snowfall amount is the main factor affecting the climate suitability of ice and snow sports in the major ski tourist destinations in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study's purpose is to investigate the constraints and facilitators influencing skiing participation in Beijing. This research includes three segments based on the frequency of skiing participation (i.e. non-, low-frequency-, and high-frequency skiers). By doing so, the study offers an enhanced understanding of the Chinese skiing market and unveils insights assisting industry professionals to effectively address their customers' diverse needs and expectations. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey was developed based on prior research and consisted of four sections: (1) skiing participation; (2) constraints; (3) facilitators; (4) demographics. Items in the constraint and facilitator scale were measured using a 7-point Likert scale. A total of 409 participants completed the survey. The participants included 137 non-skiers, 134 low-frequency skiers, and 138 high-frequency skiers. Findings: Through an exploratory factor analysis, three constructs emerged: general constraints, facilitators and learning constraints. As expected, facilitators were a positive predictor of skiing participation. Importantly, the emergent construct of learning constraints was a negative predictor of skiing and yet, the construct of general constraints was insignificant. Furthermore, the three segments differ significantly in household status, income, and education level. Originality/value: These results support previous research noting the relevance in skiing participation of the dimensions: facilitators and learning constraints. The findings point to the need for ski resorts in Beijing to offer instructional sessions for beginners so they may become familiar with skiing fundamentals and enhance their confidence, particularly among nonskiers and low-frequency skiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article conducts a study of the current state of development of the natural and recreational potential of th e Southern Altai. The problems that currently hinder the development of tourism sectors in this territory are considered and ways to solve them are proposed. With the accelerated growth of global tourism and recreation, demand for certain regions of Kazakhstan is increasing. The assessment of the natural and recreational potential of Southern Altai was carried out taking into account the bioclimatic state of natural and recreational areas. When assessing the natural and recreational resources o f the study area, our study assessed the shape of the relief, bioclimate, hydrology and flora. The results of the study allow us to propose specialized and multi-thematic routes connecting the main natural and cultural attractions of the main recreation areas for international and domestic tourists, as well as for educational and educational field programs and research trips. The study of the territorial and recreational potential of a mountainous region has its own characteristics, since, compared with plain territories, its knowledge is insufficient.

Background: Ice and snow sports, which are inherently high risk due to their physically demanding nature, pose significant challenges in terms of participant safety. These activities increase the likelihood of injuries, largely due to reduced bodily agility and responsiveness in cold, often unpredictable winter environments. The critical need for effective injury prevention in these sports is emphasized by the considerable impact injuries have on the health of participants, alongside the economic and social costs associated with medical and rehabilitative care. In the context of ice and snow sports environments, applying the E principles of injury prevention to evaluate intervention measures can guide the implementation of future sports safety and other health promotion intervention measures in this field. When well executed, this approach can substantially reduce both the frequency and severity of injuries, thereby significantly enhancing the safety and long-term viability of these challenging sports. Objective: The objective of this study was to rigorously assess and statistically substantiate the efficacy of diverse injury prevention strategies in ice and snow sports, aiming to bolster future safety measures with solid empirical evidence. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The overarching aim of this research was to meticulously aggregate and scrutinize a broad spectrum of scholarly literature, focusing on the quantifiable efficacy of diverse, multicomponent intervention strategies in mitigating the incidence of injuries within the realm of ice and snow sports. This endeavour entailed an exhaustive extraction of data from esteemed academic databases, encompassing publications up to September 30, 2023. In pursuit of methodological excellence and analytical rigor, the study employed advanced bias assessment methodologies, notably the AMSTAR 2 and GRADE approaches, alongside sophisticated random-effects statistical modelling. This comprehensive approach was designed to ensure the utmost validity, reliability, and scholarly integrity of the study's findings. Results: Fifteen papers, including 9 randomized controlled trials, 3 case‒control studies, and 3 cohort studies with 26,123 participants and 4,382 injuries, were analysed. The findings showed a significant reduction in injury rates through various interventions: overall injury prevention (RR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.42–0.63), educational training (RR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.34–0.73), educational videos (RR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.34–0.81), protective equipment (RR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.46–0.87), and policy changes (RR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.16–0.49). Subgroup analysis revealed potential heterogeneity in compliance (p = 0.347). Compared to controls, multicomponent interventions effectively reduced injury rates. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that multicomponent interventions significantly prevent injuries in ice and snow sports. By applying the E principles of injury prevention and constructing a framework for practical injury prevention research in ice and snow sports, we can gradually shift towards a systemic paradigm for a better understanding of the development and prevention of sports injuries. Moreover, sports injury prevention is a complex and dynamic process. Therefore, high-quality experiments in different scenarios are needed in future research to provide more reliable evidence, offer valuable and relevant prevention information for practitioners and participants, and help formulate more effective preventive measures in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The step characteristics of the starting motion of international-level skeleton athletes were investigated in official races as well as the relationship between the start and finish times. The starting motion of 26 male athletes was recorded with four video cameras in Intercontinental and Europe Cups, 2018 and their starting motion was analysed by a three-dimensional direct linear transformation method. The start time showed significant correlation with the finish time (ρ = 0.87, p < 0.001), as well as the sled speed at the 4 m (ρ = −0.43, p = 0.029) and 9 m (ρ = −0.79, p < 0.001) marks. The athletes were divided into two types according to the sled position and the foot for the 1st step: ipsilateral type and contralateral type. The sled speed of the ipsilateral type athletes in the 1st step was higher than that of the contralateral-type athletes. Step length from the 2nd to 5th and 7th steps showed a significant negative correlation with the start time (ρ = −0.70 to −0.46, p = 0.001 to 0.032). The international-level skeleton athletes gained a shorter start time due to a large running speed by acquiring the large SL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neurocognitive health effects of repetitive head impacts have been examined in many sports. However, characterizations of head impacts for sliding-sport athletes are lacking. To describe head impact kinematics and injury epidemiology in elite athletes during the 2021–2022 Bobsleigh World Cup season. Cross-sectional study. On-track training and competitions during the Bobsleigh World Cup season. Twelve elite bobsleigh athletes (3 pilots [1 female], 9 push athletes [5 females]; age = 30 ± 5 years; female height and weight = 173 ± 8 cm and 75 ± 5 kg, respectively; male height and weight = 183 ± 5 cm and 101 ± 5 kg, respectively). Athletes wore an accelerometer-enabled mouthguard to quantify 6-degrees-of-freedom head impact kinematics. Isometric absolute and relative neck strength, number of head acceleration events (HAEs), workload (J), peak linear velocity (m·s−1), peak angular velocity (rad·s−1), peak linear acceleration (g), and peak angular acceleration (rad·s−2) were derived from mouthguard manufacturer algorithms. Linear mixed-effect models tested the effects of sex (male versus female), setting (training versus competition), and position (pilot versus push athlete) on the kinematic variables. A total of 1900 HAEs were recorded over 48 training and 53 competition days. No differences were found between the number of HAEs per run per athlete by sex (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.82, P =.741), setting (IRR = 0.94, P =.325), or position (IRR = 1.64, P =.463). No sex differences were observed for workload (mean ± SD: males = 3.3 ± 2.2 J, females = 3.1 ± 1.9 J; P =.646), peak linear velocity (males = 1.1 ± 0.3 m·s−1, females = 1.1 ± 0.3 m·s−1; P =.706), peak angular velocity (males = 4.2 ± 2.1 rad·s−1, females = 4.7 ± 2.5 rad·s−1; P =.220), peak linear acceleration (male = 12.4 ± 3.9g, females = 11.9 ± 3.5g; P =.772), or peak angular acceleration (males = 610 ± 353 rad·s−2, females = 680 ± 423 rad·s−2; P =.547). Also, no effects of setting or position on any kinematic variables were seen. Male athletes had greater peak neck strength than female athletes for all neck movements, aside from right-side flexion (P =.085), but no sex differences were noted in relative neck strength. We provide a foundational understanding of the repetitive HAEs that occur in bobsleigh athletes. Future authors should determine the effects of repetitive head impacts on neurocognitive function and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the findings of the intraoral examinations of the 12-16 years old novice (control) and elite athletes across the winter sports branches, which were alpine discipline skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, ski jumping, and ice hockey. Besides, the study aimed to determine the intra- and inter-group relationships by comparing the athletes salivary stress biomarker levels at precompetition, during-match, and post-competition stages. Methods: Ninety-one athletes (71 elite, 20 novice) participated in our study. Oral health status of the athletes were evaluated. In addition, cortisol levels in the saliva samples obtained at pre-competition (rested before the competition), during-match (just before the start), and post-competition (competition ending moment) stages were measured. The data were analyzed statistically with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Ice hockey athletes were the most affected by untreated dental caries (27.3%). No signs of dental trauma caused by sports activities were found in the winter sports branches. Basic erosive wear examination scores of the ice hockey athletes were similar to the ski jumping athletes and lower than other groups (P = .034). The mean cortisol values between sports branches were listed as: biathlon > snowboarding > alpine skiing > ice hockey > ski jumping (P < .001). Test results of the winter sports athletes' saliva samples revealed that their salivary stress levels might vary in accordance with the sports branches, and there was a negative relationship between the levels of salivary stress biomarkers in competitions and oral health. Conclusion: In winter sports activities, measures for improving oral health should be disseminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives An increasing proportion of older Canadians are pursuing sports. The objective of this study was to examine the experiences of older Canadian women in curling. Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 participants. Interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic analysis. Results Participants simultaneously resisted, accepted, and ultimately redefined conceptualizations of personal aging in the context of curling. Although gender was deemed inconsequential, concepts such as the physical and cognitive demands of curling, inclusivity, social connection and support, and competition were perceived to be integral to participants' experiences. Discussion This study extends our understanding of the value of curling specifically, and sport in general, for older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the energy crisis and environmental pollution becoming a growing concern worldwide, the development of clean and renewable energy from the environment has become an imperative for human survival and development. However, the equipment used to harvest clean renewable energy is large, subject to environmental impacts and regional differences (such as wind, solar and tidal energy). In this study, a biodegradable eggshell membrane triboelectric nanogenerator (EM-TENG) is introduced for the purpose of harvesting lowfrequency mechanical energy. A Wireless Intelligent Motion Monitoring System (WIMMS) has been created using EM-TENG. It includes a Bluetooth sensor terminal and an intelligent processing terminal for digital signal reception on a host computer. The EM-TENG can be attached to knee and ankle joints to monitor posture. Therefore, for real-time monitoring of joint and kinetic chain changes during land training of ice dance athletes, the intelligent ice dance land training aid system is important. As a wearable motion monitoring sensor, EMTENGs application in intelligent motion monitoring, intelligent wearable devices and big data analytics is being promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and predicting the friction between a steel runner and an ice surface is paramount for many winter sports disciplines such as luge, bobsleigh, skeleton, and speed skating. A widely used numerical model for the analysis of the tribological system steel-on-ice is the Friction Algorithm using Skate Thermohydrodynamics (F.A.S.T.), which was originally introduced in 2007 and later extended. It aims to predict the resulting coefficient of friction (COF) from the two contributions of ice plowing and viscous drag. We explore the limitations of the existing F.A.S.T. model and extend the model to improve its applicability to winter sports disciplines. This includes generalizing the geometry of the runner as well as the curvature of the ice surface. The free rotational mechanical mounting of the runner to the moving sports equipment is introduced and implemented. We apply the new model to real-world geometries and kinematics of speed skating blades and bobsleigh runners to determine the resulting COF for a range of parameters, including geometry, temperature, load, and speed. The findings are compared to rule-of-thumb testimonies from athletes, previous numerical approaches, and published experimental results where applicable. While the general trends are reproduced, some discrepancy is found, which we ascribe to the specific assumptions around the formation of the liquid water layer derived from melted ice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural practices reliant on the formation of ice are likely to be affected by climate change across the world. Outdoor skating is a popular pastime in many regions of North America, Asia and northern Europe. Fen skating is a traditional sport practiced in the flat area of east England, when shallowly flooded fields and meadows freeze to form large stretches of ice. To assess the future of fen skating, climate metrics were constructed to capture the freezing conditions needed for fen skating to take place. A skating freeze was defined as requiring the daily minimum temperature to be either (i) four nights below -4 °C, (ii) three nights below -5 °C or (iii) two nights below -8 °C. The 12 km resolution UKCP18 dataset was used to assess the frequency and duration of skating freezes in the fens for the period 1981 to 2079. Results from the 12 UKCP18 model members showed notable variability and only four model members successfully captured past skating freezes. Outputs from these four model members showed a rapid decrease in the frequency and duration of skating freezes, raising concerns over the future of this sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise slows or helps reverse the shrinkage of key cognitive brain regions such as the hippocampus, which is important for information processing, learning, reasoning and planning. For this reason, it is thought that regular exercise of individuals, especially during adolescence, which is considered one of the most important processes of development, can increase their performance in areas where cognitive activities are at the forefront. Cross-country skiing, one of the leading branches of winter sports, has a much more complex structure, unlike the branches that are widely preferred today (football, basketball, volleyball, etc.) and is a branch where many motor skills are exhibited at the same time For this reason, the effect of cross-country skiing, which is defined as more complex and difficult in terms of biomotor than other branches, on cognitive activities is a matter of curiosity. Therefore, the aim of the research is; to examine the cognitive effects of cross-country skiing exercise. The study involved 54 (26 male, 28 female) adolescents who had no prior experience in any licensed sports. The average age of the participants was determined as 12.61 ± 1.32. The participants were divided in experimental and control groups. Reaction performances were determined using the ÇAĞIN Hand and Foot Reaction Tests, selective attention performances were evaluated using the Flanker Test and academic achievement was determined using the e-Okul system. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant group × time interactions for hand and foot simple, selective, discriminative reaction time, selective attention and academic achievement (p < 0.05) due to improved values at post-test for the experimental group but not for the control groups. No significant group × time interactions were observed for correct reaction rate for all reaction parameters (p > 0.05). The study concludes that the cross-country skiing exercise, which was applied to adolescents for eight weeks, had a positive impact on the parameters of reaction, selective attention and academic achievement. Therefore, parents are suggested to encourage their children to exercise and engage in sports practices like cross-country skiing to improve cognitive and academic performance during adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploration aims to promote the development of ice and snow sports (ISS), strengthen people's physiques and improve people's health level. First, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is adopted to determine the importance weight of the intelligent cognitive factors of ISS. Then, based on the evaluation grade, the membership matrix of intelligent cognitive factors of ISS is constructed, and an individual cognitive ability evaluation model combining qualitative analysis with quantitative analysis is established. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) 25.0 and Smartpls software are further used to determine the questionnaire items about the participation intention in ISS training. A structural equation model among individual participation intention, theoretical factors of planned behaviour and participation behaviour is constructed. After analysing the data obtained from the survey, the final results are as follows. (1) Harbin's largest number of ISS participants is 18–29 years old, accounting for 44.8%. Undergraduate education accounts for 47.5%. The number of participants whose monthly income is 6001–12,000 is the largest, accounting for 25%. (2) The number of people participating in skating is the highest, reaching 59.7%. The proportion of people who have participated in ISS for one year or less is the highest, reaching 45.8%. From the consumption amount perspective, the people spending 1000 yuan and below account for the highest proportion, so the consumption degree of ISS is mainly experiential consumption. (3) The correlation coefficient between subjective norms and individual participation intention is 0.598, indicating that the relationship between the two is significantly positive, that is, subjective norms will have a certain impact on individual participation intention. The correlation coefficient between behaviour attitude and participation intention is 0.697, indicating that the relationship between them is significantly positive. The correlation coefficient between perceived behaviour control and participation intention is 0.745, indicating a significant positive correlation between them. The research content provides a theoretical basis for the follow‐up ISS training intelligent cognition. It can also provide a reference for the further development of ISS in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skiing and snowboarding are popular competitive and recreational sports that can be associated with significant injury. Previous studies of skiing and snowboarding injuries have been conducted, but studies evaluating injury types and patterns over long periods of time are needed to drive effective injury prevention efforts. We hypothesized that injury patterns would differ among snowboarders and skiers and that the number of injuries remained constant over time. This is a retrospective study of patients presenting with skiing or snowboarding injuries to the United States emergency departments from 2000 to 2019. A total of 34,720 injured skiers (48.0%) and snowboarders (52.0%) presented to US emergency departments over a 20-year period, representing an estimated 1,620,576 injuries nationwide. There is a decreasing trend of the number of injuries over the study period (p =0.012). Males represented the majority (65.7%) of injuries. Skiers were older than snowboarders (mean 30.1 vs. 20.0 years; p <0.001) and patients aged<18 represented more snowboarding (57.0%) than skiing (43.0%) injuries (p <0.001). Common diagnoses included fractures (33.0%) and sprains/strains (26.9%). Snowboarders primarily presented with upper extremity injuries, meanwhile, skiers primarily presented with lower extremity injuries. Most patients (93.2%), were treated and discharged from the emergency departments. Understanding the epidemiology of injuries presenting to emergency departments can help guide prehospital care and medical coverage allocation for resorts and event organizers, as well as identifying areas for targeted injury prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outdoor winter sports sit on the frontlines of climate change, with athletes subject to increasingly unsafe, unfair and non-ideal competition and training conditions as a result. With athletes' livelihoods and the future of winter sports on the line, this research investigates if and how winter athletes use their position as public figures, celebrities and role models to challenge the hegemonic structures in sports and society driving climate change. Framed through the broad athlete-activism literature, this study used a qualitative survey of 390 elite winter-sport athletes and coaches combined with eight key stakeholder interviews to understand athlete climate activism. Results demonstrate that winter athletes' climate action is generally low risk constituting advocacy rather than activism. Athletes express fear of being called out as hypocritical for their high-carbon sport and lifestyle, insecurity over their level of climate education and frustration with the lack of climate action from international- and national-level winter-sport organizations. Scholarly, grassroots and sport-based activism may help athletes engage more effectively in climate activism within and beyond sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article conducts a study of the current state of development of the natural and recreational potential of th e Southern Altai. The problems that currently hinder the development of tourism sectors in this territory are considered and ways to solve them are proposed. With the accelerated growth of global tourism and recreation, demand for certain regions of Kazakhstan is increasing. The assessment of the natural and recreational potential of Southern Altai was carried out taking into account the bioclimatic state of natural and recreational areas. When assessing the natural and recreational resources o f the study area, our study assessed the shape of the relief, bioclimate, hydrology and flora. The results of the study allow us to propose specialized and multi-thematic routes connecting the main natural and cultural attractions of the main recreation areas for international and domestic tourists, as well as for educational and educational field programs and research trips. The study of the territorial and recreational potential of a mountainous region has its own characteristics, since, compared with plain territories, its knowledge is insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptive outdoor recreation experiences are widely accepted as a means to rehabilitation and community inclusion; however, therapeutic recreation specialists, have been limited in their ability to document benefits of outdoor recreation activities due to a lack of available instruments. This study reports on the development and implementation of the Progress Report assessment tool, designed to capture functional outcomes of an adaptive snow sports program in the Rocky Mountains. Instrument design, validation, and pilot testing are reviewed. Findings indicate positive changes in participant functional skills observed during snow sports lessons and a positive relationship between number of lessons and one's ability for the respective snow sports activity. Considerations for adaptation and application of the Progress Report, and implications for future research, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media sites are rich communication and marketing tools used by athletes to promote their "brand" and interact with fans. Indeed, the proliferation of social media has led to athletes promoting themselves across multiple platforms. This study examined how the world's top 10 professional alpine skiing athletes used social media to present themselves and engage with fans during the 2017–18 World Cup and 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The data for the latest Winter Olympic Games in 2022 (organized under changed circumstances because of COVID-19) were not available for this study at the time of finalization. Guided by self-presentation theory, this study used a content analysis to examine how athletes presented themselves in social media photographs. The results demonstrated that athletes employed similar posting patterns across the social media platforms (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). The posting distribution per athlete and channel was different, as some athletes used the same posts across all channels. Twitter boasted the highest posting frequency. Based on the coded social media posts, athletes' self-presentation mainly focused on business life content. Thus, they appeared as dressed but posed, a finding that aligns with Goffman's notion of front-stage performance. This case study extends the literature as it involves an analysis of self-presentation across multiple channels, comparing two international events while using a sample of one sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore relevant influencing factors of the prognosis of patients with winter sports-induced traumatic cervical spinal cord injury complicated with intramedullary hemorrhage and edema after emergency surgical treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 73 cases of traumatic cervical spinal cord injury complicated with intramedullary hemorrhage and edema in The First Hospital Affiliated to Hebei North University from January 2020 to October 2022. The enrolled patients were divided into the good prognosis (n=17) group and poor prognosis (n=56) group according to the recovery of neurological function after six months of follow-up. The risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury complicated with intramedullary hemorrhage and edema after emergency surgery were analyzed by binary Logistic regression. Results: Among the enrolled 73 patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury complicated with intramedullary hemorrhage and edema, 56 cases showed significant improvement in ASIA Grade-6 months after operation, with an improvement rate of 76.71%. Further Logistic regression analysis revealed that concomitant diabetes, preoperative MSCC>40.83% and recovery rate of AMS <40.13% 3d after operation were independent risk factors affecting the poor prognosis of patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury complicated with intramedullary hemorrhage and edema. Conclusions: Emergency surgery can improve the neurological function of patients with cervical spinal cord injury complicated with intramedullary hemorrhage and edema caused by winter sports. Concomitant diabetes, preoperative MSCC and recovery rate of AMS 3d after operation are the main factors affecting the prognosis of patients with emergency surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method based on kernel extreme learning machine is proposed for accurate localization and recognition of human bones. In this method, the human skeleton is divided into 16 key nodes based on physiology, and the human skeleton model is formed by connecting lines between the nodes. The sequence images of human actions are taken as input and fed into the input and hidden layers of the extreme learning machine. During the learning and training process, a kernel function is used to construct a kernel matrix to complete weight allocation. The experimental study was conducted on the action sequences of figure skaters, and the results showed that our method achieved an accuracy rate of over 90% in recognizing human bones, with individual sequences achieving an accuracy rate of over 95%, which is superior to convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various reduction techniques exist to treat traumatic shoulder dislocation, but best management remains unclear. Aims: To investigate the reduction rate of traumatic anteroinferior shoulder dislocations using two sedation-free techniques and success rates of subgroups. Methods: A single-center study was performed analysing shoulder dislocations in a two-year period. Adult patients with anteroinferior shoulder dislocation were included. Two sedation-free reduction techniques were used: the Davos self-reduction technique and the Arlt-chair technique. Two attempts were performed before sedation. All patients gave informed consent to study participation. Results: The investigated 106 patients (106 shoulder dislocations) had a mean age of 48 ± 18 years (74% male patients). The majority occurred during winter sports (76%). The overall success rate for both sedation-free reduction techniques was 82% (87 reduced shoulders, two attempts). A significantly increased success rate was found in patients without greater tuberosity fracture (86% without vs. 68% with fracture, p = 0.002) and for patients with repeated dislocation (93% vs. 80% for primary dislocation, p = 0.004). Time for reduction was 5 minutes (Davos technique) and 1 minute (Arlt-chair-technique). Associated injuries were mostly Hill Sachs lesions (78%). There was no major complication and no new-onset sensory deficit. Conclusion: Davos and Arlt reduction techniques allowed sedation-free and fast treatment for anteroinferior shoulder dislocation during winter sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tartiflette has become an emblematic dish of the French Alps and the atmosphere of winter sports. Few realize that this hearty concoction of melted Reblochon cheese, potatoes and bacon is an invention of the 1980s, with dubious creation stories still contested in recipe books and magazines, and behind the scenes on its Wikipedia page. In this paper it is argued that the precise origin of tartiflette is less important than the aptness of its invention, the connections with tradition that are made for it, and the place it enjoys within the widely-held atmospheric imaginary of winter sports tourism. A runaway success story which has changed the face of the Reblochon cheese on which it is built, tartiflette appears today every bit as authentic an Alpine experience as downhill skiing itself. But by analyzing English and French language archival materials, and drawing upon ideas in cultural geography, anthropology and history, it is demonstrated that behind its authenticity lies a compelling story of re-invention that is inescapably part of the cultural expression of modernity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies reveal an ongoing worldwide increase in a number of slope instability manifestations and their positive correlation with human activity. The latter involves construction activity as one of the most common trigger or susceptibility raising factors. In this study, we conduct a detailed analysis of an extensive and rapid transformation of a forest-covered mountain landscape and its response. The study area is a mountain sport cluster of the Winter Olympic Games-2014, which developed from scratch to a large tourist resort in just a few years. A time-series of aerospace images were used for a comprehensive mapping of the land cover changes and associated development of slope instabilities over 15 years, from a "pre-construction era" until now. We identify widespread deforestation and the land cover changes in upper chains of the fluvial systems to be the key drivers of the enhanced multiplication and intensification of the slope hazard processes. Completion of the active construction phase leads relatively quickly to a gradual natural stabilisation of the slope-located processes. However, the stream-located processes need several decades to regain a balance, because the increasing energy of small watercourses, due to growth of surface runoff coefficient, led to the transformation of longitudinal profiles of their channels. The obtained results provide a refined look at the anthropogenic influence on the slope instability occurrence and their short-time evolution in a mountain forest landscape. We also discuss the prospective course of events for this resort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We make a unique contribution to momentum research by proposing a way to quantify momentum with performance indicators (i.e., features). We argue that due to measurable randomness in the NHL, sequential outcomes' dependence or independence may not be the best way to approach momentum. Instead, we quantify momentum using a small sample of a team's recent games and a linear line of best-fit to determine the trend of a team's performances before an upcoming game. We show that with the use of SVM and logistic regression these momentum- based features have more predictive power than traditional frequency-based features in a pre-game prediction model which only uses each team's three most recent games to assess team quality. While a random forest favors the use of both feature sets combined. The predictive power of these momentum-based features suggests that momentum is a real phenomenon in the NHL and may have more effect on the outcome of games than suggested by previous research. In addition, we believe that how our momentum-based features were designed and compared to frequency-based features could form a framework for comparing the short-term effects of momentum on any individual sport or team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Athletes have a greater risk of developing disordered eating (DE) behaviours than non-athletes. Literature suggests that DE is associated with injury in female athletes; however, these associations are understudied in both female and male athletes. Our objective was to examine the association between DE and injuries in varsity athletes. In this cross-sectional study, varsity student athletes attending a Canadian university completed an anonymous online survey. The survey included questions regarding demographics, injury occurrence, and the Disordered Eating Screen for Athletes (DESA-6; a score ≥3 is indicative of DE). Athletes were categorized by DE status and injury occurrence. Chi-square tests were performed to assess the relationship between these variables. Musculoskeletal injury frequency was compared between DE and non-DE groups using a Mann–Whitney test. Fifty-six varsity athletes (N = 37 females, 66.1%) with a mean age of 20.1 ± 1.3 years participated in this study. DE was not associated with injury occurrence (p = 0.73), and musculoskeletal injury frequency did not differ between DE and non-DE groups (p = 0.50). However, both injury and DE were prevalent as 73.2% of participants reported injuries and 33.9% had positive DESA-6 scores. These findings highlight the need to address DE and injuries in athletes and could encourage the implementation of strategies to reduce their prevalence in sport. Musculoskeletal injuries and disordered eating are prevalent in varsity-level athletes but are not associated in our participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elite sports systems are characterized by structured attempts to identify, select, and develop talented athletes and to increase the likelihood that athletes will achieve future international success. Studies of such systems have focused mostly on the procedures and measures that are intended to improve talent identification, but less attention has been given to the crucial role of coaches. The aim of this case study is therefore to explore how coaches of Norwegian youth ice hockey national teams identify and evaluate sporting talent within these structured settings. The data were generated using nine semistructured interviews. These interviews included questions about how coaches identify talent and discussions about four hypothetical examples of ice hockey players, each with specific histories and skill sets. Building on recent developments in motor learning research, we contend that coaches identify and select talent using embodied (rather than entirely rational or cognitive) processes. These approaches are embedded in the ebb and flow of situated sports performances, and shaped by the broader and unique cultural settings in which they are situated. The results of this study show that talent identification and evaluation of sporting talent cannot, and should not, be separated from the subjectivities of the coaches themselves or from their individual preferences. The implications of this study for future research, policy, and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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