COMPARISON OF LUGERS’ START ELEMENTS ON A SLIDING TRACK AND AN ICED START RAMP

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are significant differences in timing of start elements that lugers perform on a sliding track and an iced start ramp built for training purposes. Male and female lugers with different competitive experience performed starts on the start ramp and on the luge track. Timing of start elements was measured from high-speed video records and compared between start facilities. Most of the athletes showed different timing of start phases at the track and the ramp. These differences partially arise from a necessity to assume a riding position in-time on the track. Though training on the start ramp does not represent exactly start performance on a luge track, it is a convenient way for practicing technical elements of the start.