engleski

Could participants of alpine skiing school benefit from programs adjusted according to their sex?

INTRODUCTION: Differences in anthropological characteristics of men and women could influence the success of ski learning if different methods of teaching are applied (Lesnik&Zvan, 2010). The aim of this study is to determine the difference between achieved knowledge in skiing for women and man applying parallel and snowplow (combination method-CM) or only parallel ski technique (direct method- DM). METHOD: Alpine skiing novices were taught during seven days ski school (30 women and 96 men, average age 23.3±1.66). Within the male and female group one subgroup learned by applying CM and one by applying DM. The examinees of both programs had the same conditions during learning, considering: the size of the group, hours of learning and training, equipment, terrains, quality and education of teachers. After the program end, examinees were joined into one group and had to demonstrate seven elements of ski technique. On the basis of grades, the level of ski knowledge was determined. To determine statistically significant difference between two groups of examinees concerning the method of learning ANOVA was used. Eventual existence of difference was determined by Fisher test. Factor analysis was used with the aim of isolating components that represent skiing knowledge. In order to determine statistical significance of differences between the two learning programs, considering the obtained main components of skiing knowledge, Student t- test was used. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in achieving skiing knowledge through CM or DM for women. Males showed significant difference in the knowledge of traversing to the right (p=0.03), short (p=0.00) and parallel turn (p=0.01). Therefore CM proved more efficient. Through factor analysis seven main components were extracted, and first defined as total skiing knowledge was compared on two programs. Significant difference was determined in the level of total skiing knowledge for men learning to ski through CM (p=0.01). No difference in total skiing knowledge related to the learning program was determined for women. DISCUSSION: To teach beginners skiing, teachers are trying to find the best way of transferring knowledge (LeMaster, 2009). The problem is not only in recognizing the efficient program, but also in recruiting participants who would benefit most. One of the factors that can affect learning is sex. Because of the differences between men and women in motor abilities and psychological characteristics, it is possible that male compared to female beginners, are reacting differently to the same learning program. In this research two programs were tested. The results showed that women did not learn ski technique significantly different by neither CM nor DM. However, men in the absence of the snowplow ski technique progressed less. CONCLUSION: This study showed that through CM men achieved better results. It means that while forming ski groups for beginner skiers it isn't necessary to separate men and women, since women will advance regardless of the two applied learning methods.

women ; men ; beginner skiers ; learning methods

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