The Effects of Performance Variables on Score in World Cup Big Air for Freeski and Snowboard

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore different performance variables associated with the judging criteria amplitude, difficulty and execution, to see how they affected freeski and snowboard athletes’ scores in a World Cup Big Air competition. Furthermore, this study aimed to assess the validity of using airtime as a measure of amplitude in Big Air.

Methods: A total of 102 elite athletes in freeski and snowboard participated in the project. Data was collected during the qualifications and finals of a Big Air World Cup competition held in Mönchengladbach, Germany during the 2016/2017 season. The data was recorded using a geodetic video method with a tachymeter-based measurement system together with a tripod-mounted camcorder for additional footage. A qualitative assessment of performance variables describing rider behavior was performed, including variables such as airtime, takeoff and landing orientation, rotational direction, amount of rotation, axial motion and landing quality. Landing quality was categorized from landing events and classified as “successful”, “touch” or “fall” landings. Further, 3-Dimensional models of athletes’ center of mass were reconstructed to calculate physical variables such as objective airtime, vertical jump height and drop height. Athletes’ scores were retrieved from official result-reports publicly available on the International Ski and Snowboard Federation’s website. Multiple linear regression with score as the dependent variable was used to explore the impact the different performance variables had on athletes’ scores. Two sets of models were created. First, to investigate effects performance variables had on scores across all landing events. Second, to investigate the effects performance variables had on scores for only successful landings.

Results: All landing events: Touch and fall landings significantly impacted scores for all athletes in a negative direction. A higher amount of rotation significantly increased the probability of achieving higher scores for all athletes. Switch takeoff significantly increased the probability of higher scores female athletes. Multiaxial maneuvers significantly increased the probability of higher scores for female snowboarders. Successful landings: A higher amount of rotation significantly increased the probability of higher scores for all athletes. Switch takeoff significantly increased the probability of higher scores for female athletes. Multiaxial maneuvers significantly increased the probability of achieving higher scores for snowboard athletes. Frontside rotation and switch landing significantly increased the probability of higher scores for male snowboarders. Airtime was found to have a moderate positive relationship with vertical jump height, reflecting 33% of the height athletes achieved.

Conclusion: The results of this study builds upon the growing body of knowledge regarding performance variables in jumping disciplines such as Big Air for snowboarding and represent the first study to our knowledge that have investigated performance in freeski in any discipline. The effect performance variables have on athletes’ scores varies depending on equipment and sex. However, successful landings and a high amount of rotation were key contributors to athletes’ scores across all subgroups. Female athletes in both sports benefited from taking off switch, while snowboarders, in general, benefited from performing multiaxial maneuvers. Male snowboarders also seemed to benefit from landing switch. Athletes and coaches should consider how rider behavior affect the complexity and difficulty of a run to ensure successful landings to maximize the scoring potential.