The Contribution of Ski Poles to Aerodynamic Drag in Alpine Skiing

The present study was designed to determine the contribution of cross-sectional area ski poles (Sp) total aerodynamic drag during alpine skiing. At three different wind speeds in a tunnel, 10 skiers assumed typical skiing postures (high, middle, and tuck), their frontal assessed with force plate area, along that poles, determined by interactive image segmentation. data collected were utilized examine intra-subject variation Sp, effects Sp on coefficient (Cd), product Cd (Cd∙S. major findings as follows: (i) ranged from 0.0067 (tuck position) 0.0262 m2 (middle position), contributing 2.2–4.8% respectively; (ii) dependent speed high middle positions; (iii) variations 0.0018 (27.6%) tuck position 0.0072 (30.5%) position; (iv) exerted likely effect Cd∙S. extensive intra- inter-skier variability can account for much ~5% future investigations how elite optimize positioning manner reduces are warranted.