Force characteristics at take-off and landing from basic tricks during snowboard halfpipe training runs

Several snowboarding disciplines are established competitions at Olympic Winter Games. The halfpipe may be considered as one of the most spectacular and attention-gaining events as a series of jumps with ever increasing complexity are executed consecutively within each run. As performance is evaluated by a team of judges there are important factors such as air time and amplitude which strongly affect ratings. Only very limited research exists yet, such that a full understanding of factors contributing to performance is missing. The goal of this study was to establish the potential of using two multidimensional force sensors during take-off and landing within training runs in a halfpipe in competitive freestyle snowboarders. It was aimed at providing preliminary descriptive data on take-offs and landings from basic tricks.