University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present University Relations 2-3-1984 UM professor joins Olympic team in Sarajevo University of Montana--Missoula. Office of University Relations Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/newsreleases Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation University of Montana--Missoula. Office of University Relations, "UM professor joins Olympic team in Sarajevo" (1984). University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present. 8518. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/newsreleases/8518 This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Relations at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ■ f , ri- of Montana Office of University Relations • Missoula, Montana 59812 • (406) 243-2522 MEDIA RELEASE kemp/vsl 2-3-84 state,w/pic UM PROFESSOR JOINS OLYMPIC TEAM IN SARAJEVO By Stephen Kemp University Relations University of Montana MISSOULA— Going to the Olympic Games was a boyhood dream of Brian Sharkey's, and this week he will realize that dream in Sarajevo. Sharkey, a physical education professor at the University of Montana, "made the team" as coordinator of the U.S. Nordic Ski Team Sportsmedicine Council. At the Games he will meet with sports scientists from around the world and work on a program to train Nordic skiers for the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, Alta. Sharkey regularly tests athletes from the U.S. Junior and Development Nordic Ski Teams to evaluate the effects of their individual training programs. He also prescribes fitness programs for the skiers. While abroad, he hopes to learn from the Scandinavian countries ways to promote cross-country skiing as a sport and personal fitness program in America. Sharkey said the U.S. Nordic team has caught up with other countries in the Nordic events and should be a strong contender at Sarajevo. The team is "pretty much skiing as well as anyone in the world," he said. Traditionally, the Scandinavian, Russian and East German teams have dominated the events. Sharkey named Bill Koch and Kerry Lunch as America's top prospects for medals in the Nordic events. (over) Olympic team— add one Sharkey, who has written a book on training for cross country ski racing for the U.S. team, said the team's training program emphasizes endurance and upper-body strength. They use roller skiing and long runs to build endurance during summer training programs and weight training to develop the upper body. Sharkey's tests show that some athletes have improved their upper-body endurance as much as 20 percent in a year. He said that 60 percent of a ski racer’s propulsion comes from the arms. "A trained skier can double-pole for hours," he said. Sharkey recommends a similar program for weekend skiers who want to improve their performance. For example, a combination of running, hiking and bicycling is a good way to build endurance. To improve the upper body, he suggests power training— 1 ifting a modest weight as fast as possible. This works with any weight-training exercise that simulates double-poling. Hiking or running with ski poles is also effective,he said. You don't have to be especially young, tall or skinny to be a world-class Nordic skier, Sharkey explained. Although racers usually have wel1-developed upper bodies, there appears to be no significant relationship between physique and performance. Sharkey said there are many world-class Nordic skiers in their 30s and their performance often doesn't begin to decline much until almost 40. #.