Analysis of Physiologic Effect of Snowboard Deck in Snowboarders

The purpose of this study is to provide evaluation data to examine and verify the effectiveness of the materials through physiological comparison and analysis of the new prototype snowboard deck with the existing equipments. In order to achieve the purpose, blood lactate concentrations and energy metabolic variables were measured from the targeted snowboarders. Five male snowboarders (Slope-style) volunteered to participate in the experiment. The experiment was conducted in slope-style course of “W” Ski Resort located in Gangwondo, Korea. One prototype deck and two existing deck were chosen for analysis. Each subject performed three runs with each “B”, “S” and “Y” deck. Blood samples were collected twice from the finger-tip at rest and immediately after completing the run in order determine the lactate concentration. In order to analyze the energy metabolic variables i.e. heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2), metabolic equivalent (MET) and total energy consumption (TEE), portable wireless gas analyzer and Polar heart rate monitor was used at rest as well as during the run. The result obtained from the analysis showed increased blood lactate concentration as well as higher oxygen uptake (VO2) at the point of Lactate Threshold (LT) when performing runs by installing “B” and “Y” decks than “S”. Furthermore with the increase in speed, depletion of energy sources as well as increased concentration of muscle fatigue substance also appeared in “B” and “Y” deck than “S” where blood lactate concentration and oxygen uptake are indicators of mobilization capacity of lactic acid system during energy metabolism.