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Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize sprint ability, anthropometry, and lower extremity power in the US National Team Skeleton athletes. Fourteen athletes (male n = 7; mean ± SD: height 1.794 ± 0.063 m, body mass 81.2 ± 3.7 kg, age 26.9 ± 4.1 years; female n = 7; 1.642 ± 0.055 m, 60.1 ± 5.9 kg, 27.3 ± 6.9 years) volunteered to participate. Sprinting ability was measured over multiple intervals using custom infrared timing gates in both an upright and a crouched sprint. The crouched sprint was performed while pushing a wheeled‐simulated skeleton sled on rails on an outdoor skeleton and bobsleigh start track. Crouched skeleton sprint starts were able to achieve about 70% to 85% of the upright sprint times. The mean somatotype ratings for females were: 3.5‐3.5‐2.1, and males: 3.6‐4.9‐1.9. Lower extremity strength and power were measured via vertical jumps on a portable force platform using squat and countermovement jumps, and jumps with added mass. Jump height, power, rate of force development and peak force were determined from force‐time data. Lower extremity strength and power were strongly correlated with both upright and crouched sprint times. The results indicated that these athletes are strong sprinters with varying body structures, mostly mesomorphic, and that stronger and more powerful athletes tend to be better starters.