Att sträva efter att undvika skador och öka sin prestation : Elitlängdskidåkares erfarenheter, önskemål och behov av screeningtester

Sammanfattning: Introduction: Overload injuries are common among elite cross-country skiers. Screening tests are used in sports to prevent injuries. The tests are used extensively, however, the method has low validity. The knowledge from the current study may be used when developing new screening methods. Aim: To explore elite cross-country skiers’ own experiences, desires and needs for screening tests. Method: A qualitative method with an inductive approach was used and individual semi-structed interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.. Seven elite cross-country skiers at the National Sport University in Umeå were strategically selected. Consisting of six men and one woman, the median age of the skiers was 24 years old. All had performed a Functional Movement Screen (FMS) within the last three years. Results: The result consist of one main theme, namely “Strivning for avoidence of injury and increased performance”. Within this main theme there were four categories “Insufficient challenge to improve performance”, “Physical check leading to exercise adjustments“,”Athletic posture and good technique improves skiing” and “Adapting and planning their exercise”. Each of the categories have 3-4 sub-categories respectively. The result represent the skiers’ desire to remain un-injured while increasing their performance. They request more tailor made and sport specific screening tests developed for cross-country skiing. This based on careful observations and meassurements of the specific requirements of the sport. The insights from the screening test would ideally result in suggested training schedules and individualized exercises. Conclusion: Elite cross-country skiers piont out the need for objective observations and analysis methods of the physical challenges of cross-country skiing. This in order to identify performance-enhancing measures, while at the same time avoiding overload injuries. The knowledge from this study can provide future researchers the direction in which they should focus when developing new sport-specific tests.