This thesis is focused on evaluating age structure of cross-country skiing racers who participate in World Championship and Olympic Games. The work shall show if the age of sportsmen can be determined as one of the factors of success, what is the optimal age limit and how is this age limit changed in the course of time or if it stays the same. After studying available literature and after looking up certain data on the internet, the results were evaluated in Excel, the graphs were created and the final report was written. The results showed: the average age often oscillates among 24 and 36 years in the majority of disciplines, it has been rather decreasing mostly in the discipline od women - cross-countra skiing for 5 km both at the World Championship and at the Olympic Games. The age decreases at shorter distance and a little higher age increases or predominates at disciplines for longer distance. The total arithmetic mean of the age of the maximum performance is 27.99 years in cross-country skiing at World Championship and at winter Olympic Games from 1970 to 2007. The arithmetic mean of the age of winners in World Championship is 27.75 years. The arithmetic mean of the age of racers participated in winter Olympic Games is 28.33 years in that time. Average age of women is 27.78 years, average age of men is 28.19 years.

This research provides a sociological analysis of skiing as a form of outdoor recreation and nature tourism in British Columbia, Canada. A qualitative multi-method approach is used, combining discourse analysis, interviews with skiers, and unobtrusive field observation at Whistler Blackcomb and Whitewater ski resorts. Through a focus on discourse, embodied interactions among humans and non-humans, and flows of power, this research describes an environmental ambiguity at the centre of skiing. There is a tension between interpretations of skiing as an environmentally-sustainable practice and notions of skiing as an environmental and social problem. Skiing is based on the symbolic consumption of nature and is understood by many participants as a way of entering into a meaningful relationship with the non-human environment. However, interpretations of skiing as a non-consumptive use of non-human nature are too simple. Social movement groups disrupt pro-environmental discourses of skiing by challenging the sport’s ecological and social legitimacy. Many skiers also articulate a self-reflexive environmental critique of their sport. In these instances, skiing is brought into the realm of politics. Recreational forms of interaction with the non-human environment tend to be at the periphery of environmental sociology. At the same time, sport sociologists tend to focus on the social dimensions of outdoor recreation, while bracketing out non-human nature. This research brings these two fields of inquiry into dialogue with each other, thereby addressing this double lacuna. / Arts, Faculty of / Sociology, Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this thesis is three-fold. First, it explored the ski resort marketing based on place and destination marketing theories. New trends and best practices support the theory by practical examples from the field and online research. Moreover, general hypotheses about ski resorts' visitors were defined. The second objective was to analyze the behavior of ski resorts' visitors based on a quantitative research. As a result, the predefined hypotheses were either confirmed or disproved. Finally, practical implications and recommendations combining the recent trends and tourists' experiences were discussed to suggest future development of ski resort marketing practices. In the end, research results, conclusions as well as its limitations are presented. Overall, this thesis could serve as a comprehensive study of current trends in the area of ski resort marketing and visitors' behavior and experiences.

This report aims to solve a problem for the   waxers in the Swedish National Cross-country Ski Team, which hereafter will   be referred to as the national team. The problem in hand is that currently,   the national team lacks a system for book-keeping of ski pairs and ski tests.   Also, the project intends to provide a tool for predicting the best ski pairs   in given conditions. The report describes cross-country skis and factors that   affect the performance of these skis. Moreover, this report presents the   testing procedure of the national team. The project provides a solution to   the problem in hand by developing a web service based on Django and Django   REST Framework and an iOS application to handle the user interaction. The app   was tested and approved by the waxers of the national team. To predict the   best performing skis in given conditions, the three Machine Learning   algorithms Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree, and Artificial Neural   Network (ANN) is implemented and evaluated. Experimental results indicate   that the ANN algorithm has better accuracy than the Decision Tree, and that   the SVM algorithms and that the SVM was performing slightly worse than the   other two, when applied on test data which is artificially generated based on   the experience of the national team. All three Machine Learning algorithms   perform better in terms of mean accuracy which is significantly higher   compared to the accuracy of a baseline algorithm. The report suggests that   the accuracy of the ANN algorithm is high enough to be useful for the   national team.

Bakgrund: I dagens längdskidåkning har stakningen utvecklats till att bli en avgörande komponent till att prestera framgångsrikt, framförallt inom sprintåkningen där de höga hastigheterna ställer stora krav på överkroppsstyrka. Bålens styrka bör därför testas för att planera och utvärdera träning vilket endast sker genom statiska och uthållighetbaserade övningar som inte är speciellt idrottsspecifika. Ett isokinetiskt bålstyrkettest för elitskidåkare saknas i dagsläget men med Biodex System 3 är det möjligt att utveckla. Syftet med studien var att ta fram ett testprotokoll för isokinetisk bålstyrka i Biodex och analysera sambandet mellan isokinetisk, isometrisk och explosiv bålstyrka samt ställa resultatet mot FIS-punkter i sprint. Metod: Elva elitskidåkare deltog i studien där de efter ett testbatteri med explosiva och statiska styrketester genomförde ett isokinetiskt bålstyrketest i Biodex. I testet skulle forskningspersonerna fastspända i sittande position producera maximal koncentrisk kraft i 50-90° höftflexion under sex repetitioner under en standardiserad hastighet på 60° per sekund. Datat analyserades med Spearmans korrelationskoefficient (r) och signifikansvärdet var: p <0,05.  Resultat: Ett starkt positivt samband (r=0,79, p <0,05) fanns mellan det isokinetiska bålstyrketestet (Biodexₘₐₓ) och det isometriska bålstyrketestet (Isobålₘₐₓ). För de manliga åkarna påvisades ett starkt positivt samband mellan Biodexₘₐₓ och FIS-punkter i sprint (r=0.89, p<0.05) samt Biodexₘₐₓ och vikt (r=0,92 p <0,05). Inga fler statistiskt signifikanta samband kunde påvisas. Konklusion: Studien visar att det finns ett tydligt samband mellan Biodexₘₐₓ och Isobålₘₐₓ samt Biodexₘₐₓ och vikt bland män. Ingen signifikant koppling mellan Biodexₘₐₓ och bollkastet samt Biodexₘₐₓ och längd bland män kunde hittas. Sambandet mellan Biodexₘₐₓ och FIS-punkter i sprint bland män visar att högt resultat i biodextestet tyder på sämre prestationsförmåga i sprint. Inga stora slutsatser kan dras från resultatet på grund av för lågt deltagarantal. Däremot kan isokinetisk bålstyrka nu testas i Biodex och bidra till framtida forskning. / Backgrund: Double poling has developed into a crucial component for cross country skiing performance, especially in sprint where high velocities place great demands on upper body strength. Core strength should therefore be tested to evaluate training which only occurs through static and endurance-based exercises that are not particularly sports-specific. An isokinetic core strength test for elite skiers is currently not available but the Biodex System 3 makes it possible to develop. The purpose of the present study was to develop a protocol for isokinetic core strength and analyze the relationship between isokinetic, isometric and explosive core strength and also compare the result to FIS-points in sprint.  Method: Eleven cross country skiers participated in the study where they after a set of explosive and static tests completed an isokinetic core strength test in the Biodex. The subjects were strapped to the Biodex into a sitting position where they produced maximum concentric force in 50-90° hip flexion during six repetitions at a standardized speed of 60° per second. The data was analysed with Spearman korrelationskoeffizient (r) och the level of significance was: p <0,05. Result: A strong positive relationship (r=0,79, p <0,05) was found between the isokinetic core strength test (Biodexₘₐₓ) and the isometric core strength test (Isobålₘₐₓ). For male skiers a strong positive relationship was found between Biodexₘₐₓ and FIS-point in sprint (r=0.89, p<0.05) and Biodexₘₐₓ and weight (r=0,92 p <0,05). No more statistically significant results were observed. Conclusion: This study shows a strong relationship between Biodexₘₐₓ against Isobålₘₐₓ and Biodexₘₐₓ and weight among men. No statistically significant connection was found between Biodexₘₐₓ and the ball throw and Biodexₘₐₓ and length among men. The relationship between Biodexₘₐₓ and FIS-points in sprint among men indicates that high values in the Biodex means a decreased performance in sprint. No major conclusions can be made from the results due to the low numbers of participants. However, isokinetic core strength can now be tested in the Biodex and contribute to future recherch.

Author's first name and surname: Jan KMOCH Department: FTVS UK, Department of Outdoor Sports Supervisor: Mgr. Radka Bačáková Abstract Title: Comparative analysis of chosen skating techniques at cross-country skiing. Objective: Comparison of leg muscle coordination at different skating techniques in one locomotive cycle at cross-country skiing and free bipedal walk. Methods: Comparative analysis of electromyography records of muscle activation in combination with kinematography analysis of video record. Results: There were found similarities and differences in muscle activation timing at observed muscles. Keywords: skating at cross-country skiing, bipedal walk, surface electromyography

Summary The aim of this thesis is to describe the history and development of the Mountain service in Czech countries as well as in available archives look for documents giving evidence of its history and development. Another target is to point out the associations connected with the mountain terrain or associated with the origin of the Mountain service. Another goal was to monitor the development of the symbol, membership cards and technology which was or stil is used by the Mountain service. The thesis also contains an overview of commencement of rescue associations in selected European countries where the organized rescue of people in mountain terrain has a similar period of origin and similar circumstances. Those organizations, which mostly helped to create mountain rescue service, were Alpine clubs, tourist clubs, conservationists or gymnastic associations. From the territorial prospective we speak about Austria, Germany, France and Italy. From the time point of view the formation of rescue service dates from the middle of the 19th century. The greatest reason for an increasing amount of people (tourists) coming to the mountain terrain in Europe was mostly the scientific-technical progress in the second half of the 19th century. Due to the construction of railways throughout Europe, development...

It is a challenge to collect data on visitors' movement patterns via a mobile app for an alpine ski resort. Because gathering of location information is based on voluntariness. One way to motivate more people to share their location information is to offer the features that users expects or want in such a mobile app. This study aims to investigate what features a mobile app should include in order for users to share their location information. The research strategy used is case study and the data collection method is interviews. 22 alpine skiers were interviewed and in addition, an expert on the topic of mobile solutions with experience of leading development of location-based mobile apps has been interviewed. The interviews generated qualitative data that was analyzed thematically. The results presented by the study show that users are positive about sharing their location information if they receive something significant in return. The results are presented in two parts, one with general needs that the overwhelming majority desired, and one with interest-driven needs. / Det är en utmaning att samla in data om besökarnas rörelsemönster via en mobilapp för en alpin skidanläggning eftersom insamlingen av platsinformation baseras på frivillighet. Ett sätt att motivera fler att dela sin platsinformation är att erbjuda de funktioner användarna förväntar sig eller önskar i en sådan mobilapp. Denna studie syftar till att undersöka vilka funktioner en mobilapp bör innehålla för att användare ska dela med sig av sin platsinformation. Forskningsstrategin som tillämpas är fallstudie. Fallstudien baseras på intervjuer som datainsamlingsmetod. Intervjuer har genomförts med 22 alpinåkare samt en expert med erfarenhet inom att leda utveckling av platsbaserade mobila lösningar. Intervjuerna har genererat kvalitativ data som analyserats tematiskt. Resultaten som studien presenterar visar att användarna är positivt inställda till att dela sin platsinformation om de får något signifikant i gengäld. Resultaten presenteras i två delar. En del med allmänna behov vilka en övervägande majoritet önskade samt en del med intressestyrda behov.

Bakgrund: Längdskidåkning är en sport med hög förekomst av överbelastningsskador i ländryggen. Anledningarna till besvärens uppkomst har diskuterats frekvent och flera faktorer har setts spela in. Att variera träningen har setts vara viktigt, inte minst under uppväxten, för att undvika skador längre upp i åldrarna.  Syfte: Att undersöka förekomsten av upplevda ländryggsbesvär de senaste 12 månaderna hos elever på längdskidgymnasium i Sverige. Studien undersökte även skillnader i träningsminuter och träningsvariation under åldern 10–12 år mellan elever utan ländryggsbesvär och elever med lindriga–svåra ländryggsbesvär. Metod: En deskriptiv jämförande tvärsnittsstudie gjordes där 11 av Sveriges 12 längdskidgymnasium deltog. Antalet studiedeltagare var 147, vilket motsvarade en svarsfrekvens på 46%. Könsfördelningen var 52,4% kvinnor och 47,6% män. En webbenkät besvarades angående ländryggsbesvär de senaste 12 månaderna baserat på frågeformuläret Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Även frågor gällande träning under åldern 10–12 och ländryggsbesvär under längdskidåkning besvarades. Utifrån svaren delades deltagarna in i grupper baserade på besvärsgrad.  Resultat: Förekomsten av ländryggsbesvär senaste 12 månaderna var 50,3%. Det fanns inga signifikanta skillnader gällande träningsminuter under uppväxten mellan grupperna “ej besvär” och “måttliga-svåra besvär” respektive “ej besvär” och “besvär”. Slutsats: Studiens resultat kunde bekräfta en hög förekomst av ländryggsbesvär hos längdskidgymnasieelever. Inga skillnader sågs i träningen under uppväxten mellan de med respektive utan besvär. Fler faktorer spelar in och vidare studier krävs för att få klarhet i varför besvären uppstår i en så hög grad. / Background: Cross-country skiing have a high prevalence of overuse injuries mainly located at the lower back. Low back pain (LBP) is frequently discussed among cross-country skiers and several factors may cause the problem. A variation in training has been seen to be important, especially during childhood, to avoid overuse injuries in higher ages.  Objective: To investigate the prevalence of LBP for the past 12 months in Swedish high school students specialized at cross-country skiing. The study also investigated the differences in training minutes and the variation in training during age 10–12 years between students without LBP and students with mild to severe LBP. Method: A descriptive comparative cross-sectional study was made, 11 of the 12 cross-country ski high schools in Sweden participated. The response rate was 46% which corresponds 147 participants, 52,4% women and 47,6% men.  The participants answered a web survey with questions regarding LBP the last 12 months and training during childhood. Groups based on the severity of LBP was formed.  Results: The prevalence of LBP the last 12 months was 50,3%. There were no significant differences regarding training in the age of 10–12 years between the groups. Conclusion: The study confirms that the prevalence of LBP is high in high school students specialized at cross-country skiing. No differences were found regarding training during childhood between the groups. More factors may affect the problem and further research is needed.

Forskning och karakterisering av alpinskidors belag kräver mycket tid och resurser att utföra därav försvinner informationsmängd inom området, då de tester som görs inte delas offentligt. Idag användsuteslutningsmetoden mycket och inte mätvärden som testats fram. Idenna rapport undersöks varför den ena skidan är snabbare än den andra med hjälp av teknisk information i form av data.Arbetet kring studien introducerades med en förstudie. I förstudien identifierades problem, analys av artiklar samt förberedelse kring intervju. Under arbetet har större del av tiden arbetats kring glidtester och uppsikt av strukturen samt att undersöka strukturer på belaget med mikroskop på ett laboratorium i Uppsala.Resultatet omfattar teoretiskt bevis grundat på mätdata som arbetats fram vid Ångströms laboratorium. Med hjälp av tre skilda strukturer som syftar till varierande karaktär, visar resultaten hur olika strukturer ger utslag i glid mellan snö och belag. Strukturerna som användes var helbäddsstruktur, kryss-struktur med släppta kanter samt fiskbensstruktur.Slutsatser kring projektet är att det glidtest som utfördes inte höll tillräckligt hög standard. För att kunna styrka att någon av strukturerna var snabbare än den andra behöver man utveckla glidtestet. Tiderna indikerar på skillnad i strukturerna, men på grund av de brister i testet som uppkom kan man inte med säkerhet fastställa att det är enbart strukturen som gör att tiden påverkas.Det går inte hitta någon korrelation mellan mikroskopsbilderna och de resultat man fick från glidtesterna, vilket ledet till att målet inte uppnåttsmed att hitta de parametrar som påverkar friktionen mellan skida ochsnö / In this study, the characteristics of an alpine ski’s base structure arepresented. The goal is to identify which parameters on the surface control the friction between the ski and the snow. The project is based on selfstudies through laboratory experiments and tests has been completed with facts from scientific reports and articles. This thesis is written for Sports Technology - Bachelor of Science in Product Development at Mid Sweden University Spring term 2022.Research and characterization of the alpine ski base require a lot of time and resources. As a result, the amount of information in the area disappears, as the tests performed are not shared publicly. Exclusion methods is the most common method used today and not measured values that have been tested. This report examines why one ski is faster than the other using technical data.The pilot study identified problems-, analyzed articles, and made the necessary preparations for the interviews. During the rest of the study, the main part of the time has been put into glide testing, an inspection of the structure and also observing the base of the ski with a microscope at the laboratory in Uppsala.The result covers theoretical evidence based on the measurement data that has been subtracted at the Ångstöms laboratory. With the help of three different structures aiming for varying characters, the result shows how these different structured bases interact with the snow. The structures used were full bed Cross structure, Cross structure withshaped edges and fishbone structure.Conclusions about the project are that the ski test that was performed did not maintain a sufficiently high standard. To be able to prove that one of the structures was faster than the other you need to develop the ski test. The times indicate a difference in the structures, but due to the shortcomings in the test that arose, it cannot be established with certainty that it is only the structure that causes the time to be affected.Karakterisering av ytstrukturen på en alpinskidas belagMittuniversitetet2022-05-25Based on the Mid Sweden University template for technical reports, written by Magnus Eriksson, Kenneth Berg and MivIt is not possible to find any correlation between the microscope images and the results obtained from the tests, which led to the goal not being achieved by finding the parameters that affect the friction between skisand snow / <p>2022-07-01</p>