The Science of Figure Skating

Jason D. Vescovi is an applied sport scientist and has an appointment in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto, Canada. He was the Head, Sport Science and Performance Research for Skate Canada for 5 years leading into the Sochi Winter Olympics and regularly consults for other Canadian National Sport Organizations including Field Hockey Canada, Tennis Canada, and Archery Canada. Jason’s expertise and research interests include areas that impact health, training and performance in sport. Jaci L. VanHeest is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, USA. She has over 25 years of experience working with world-class athletes and has consulted for U.S. Figure Skating for over a decade. In 2015, Jaci was appointed a member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sport and Nutrition Science Board. Her research has focused on exercise-induced adaptations of bioenergetic, metabolic, and endocrine factors in groups ranging from children to elite performers.

1. Physiology and Physiological Assessment of Figure Skating

Jason D. Vescovi and Jaci L. VanHeest

2. Biomechanics in Figure Skating

Lee Cabell and Erica Bateman

3. Epidemiology of Injury in Figure Skating

Jason D. Vescovi and Jaci L. VanHeest

4. Growth and Development

Jaci L. VanHeest

5. Resistance, Power and Cardiometabolic Training

Ken Kashubara

6. Nutritional Behaviors and Dietary Recommendations for Figure Skaters

Abigail E. Duffine and Stella Lucia Volpe

7. Mental Skills Training: Psychological Considerations of Performance

Caroline Silby

8. Sleep, Jet Lag and Performance

Carrie E. Mahoney

9. Ergogenic Aids

Melanie Olivier and Ariane Lavigne

10. Integrating Technology in Figure Skating

Deborah L. King and Jason D. Vescovi