Figure skating is an elegant and captivating sport that seamlessly blends artistic expression, athleticism, and grace on the ice. At the professional and performance levels, figure skating requires intensive training and long-term specialized preparation [1]. To excel, figure skaters need a combination of anthropometric and physical characteristics, including flexibility, strength, power, cardiovascular endurance, agility, speed, coordination, balance, and spatial awareness [2,3]. The ideal combination of these characteristics can vary between skaters, often leading coaches to tailor training programs based on individual strengths and weaknesses of athletes. However, skaters who have a well-rounded combination of these attributes are better positioned for success in figure skating competitions [4]. Additionally, specific physical demands can differ across disciplines such as men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs, and ice dance [5]. In addition, there are several important areas related to the preparation and performance of figure skating, including motor learning, the quality of mastering specific figure skating skills, the psychological aspects of managing training loads, and the presentation of sports performance. Furthermore, the specifics of pre-adolescent and adolescents sports training, as well as their management, are crucial.

Since 2004, single men and women disciplines of figure skating, pair skating, ice dancing, and synchronized skating have been judged using the International Skating Union (ISU) judging system, also known as the International Judging System (IJS). The introduction of IJS made the scoring system less vulnerable to manipulation and more objective. Furthermore, significant improvements in skating technique have been observed in competitions following the implementation of IJS. In particular, jumps and spins have become more daring, intricate, and dynamic in competitions [6,7]. Jumps play a critical role in competitive figure skating, as skaters who perform more complicated and complex elements earn higher scores [8]. These visually captivating maneuvers require explosive strength, precision, and grace for successful execution [3]. Lower-limb explosive strength directly affects jump quality, contributing to overall performance and score [9]. Strong lower limbs allow figure skaters to achieve good jump height and length, control rotations, and stabilize landings. Good balance during landing prevents falls, facilitates smooth transitions to the next element, and maximizes points in competitions [10,11].

In elite figure skaters, it has also been documented that the age at which women reach peak performance (20.4 ± 3.4 years) has decreased and that the number of double jumps has decreased significantly in favor of triple or quadruple jumps [7]. These highlights increase pressure on early specialization, particularly among female skaters, and increase demands on the difficulty of individual elements of figure skating performance, especially the number of jump rotations. Therefore, efficient training with greater overall intensity is required to improve the physical fitness and technical proficiency of figure skaters [7,12].

Although coaches regularly assess figure skater technique in almost every training session, the level and changes in the physical prerequisites for figure skater performance remain somewhat hidden. To address this issue, coaches must focus on other key areas related to sports performance, such as uncovering hidden physical factors, such as strength and power, speed and agility, endurance and stamina, during long-term athlete development. Some cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of figure skaters focus on changes in physical qualities during growth and development and their potential in talent identification. Mostaert et al. [13] identified specific anthropometric, physical, coordination, and ice skating characteristics that discriminate young elite from non-elite figure skaters aged 9 to 12 years. They found no difference between the elite and non-elite groups in maturity status and anthropometric or physical parameters. However, elite skaters scored better than non-elites in the coordination tests to jump sideways and tended to do so in the moving sideways test. Importantly, the finding suggests that no sport-specific motor coordination tests allow discrimination between elite and non-elite skaters and can aid in talent detection and identification among young ice skaters. In a recent study [4], the authors compared the parameters of anthropometric and physical fitness of elite 11- to 16-year-old female and male figure skaters. They concluded that evaluating the relationship between morphological characteristics and motor skills with specific field tests and standardized tests performed at regular intervals in young figure skating athletes can contribute to better selection of athletes, as well as to the effectiveness of their individual training preparation. In another study [5], the physical qualities off the ice in 10- to 33-year-old athletes based on the disciplines and levels of skating were compared. The authors stated that the observed physical qualities varied significantly depending on the discipline and level of skating and that senior and junior skaters tended to exhibit greater speed and strength than novice skaters. These results emphasized the need for strength and conditioning programs that reflect the specific demands of the discipline and the level of skaters. Furthermore, data obtained from off-ice testing can establish normative values for figure skaters. Cruz et al. [2] analyzed longitudinal changes in strength and agility in 9–25-year-old competitive single figure skaters, considering their levels of competition. Skaters remained at the same competitive level on the ice or progressed by one level in consecutive seasons. Surprisingly, the most significant changes occurred in lower-level female skaters who remained at the same level. This finding underlines the importance of early participation in strength and conditioning programs to maximize athleticism before reaching the senior level, where off-ice performance improvements tend to plateau. More specifically, we mean participation in appropriately designed youth resistance training programs that are supervised and instructed by qualified professionals, which are recommended for aspiring young athletes of this age. These programs must consider biological age, training age, motor skill competency, technical proficiency, and existing strength levels of athletes [14]. We recognize that a successful and effective training process in figure skating is only possible if coaches do not neglect any important areas of sports training and focus on developing the skater as a whole. This involves integrating physical, mental, and emotional aspects to enhance performance. By addressing all these components, a holistic approach aims to create well-rounded athletes who are not only skilled on the ice but also healthy.

The studies mentioned above focused on various fitness parameters and anthropometric characteristics that describe young elite or non-elite figure skaters. However, studies analyzing the association between fitness parameters and success in competitions in figure skaters are missing. As far as we know, only one study [11] investigated the effects of lower-limb strength and endurance on the quality of execution of single jumps (Axel jumps). The findings indicate that muscular strength and endurance have an effect on the training progress and performance of figure skating elements such as jumps. However, none of these studies specifically addresses the question of whether and to what extent fitness parameters influence a figure skater’s performance in competition. Therefore, our study aims to determine to what extent explosive strength, reactive strength of the lower limbs, and acceleration in running and skating speed can predict the results of figure skating competitions, as evaluated according to the international rules of the ISU. The hypothesis of the study is that the results of the explosive strength and speed field tests of the lower extremities can predict success in national competitions in elite female and male figure skaters of youth aged 8 to 16 years.

The KMO values of 0.807 and 0.84 for the two groups indicate that the data set is suitable for PCA. The Bartlett test showed a significant level α ≤ 0.001, confirming that the variables were correlated in the population (Table 2A,B).

The PCA model for Group 1 (Table 3) shows that the variables in the sprint run test had the highest loading (correlations) with the first principal component (C1). The second principal component (C2) was highly correlated with the variables of the repeated vertical jump test. The third principal component (C3) was highly correlated with the results of the skating sprint variables and C4 was highly correlated with the results of the standing long jump and triple jump (right/left leg) tests.

In the PCA model for Group 2 (Table 4), the same components were recognized, but the order of the components differed. C1 was highly correlated with the skating sprint test variables, C2 maintained the same order and was highly correlated with the variables from the repeated vertical jump test, C3 was highly correlated with the results of the standing long jump and triple hop jump (right/left leg) tests. The high factor loadings on the fourth principal component (C4) were demonstrated by the results of the running sprint test.

The results of the MRA for Group 1 and Group 2 and each partial competition IJS score are presented in Table 5 and Table 6.

In the MRA models for the basic novice group, Group 1 (Table 5), Pearson’s R ranges from 0.546 to 0.652. The R² coefficient of determination ranges from R² for RCH_FS_Tes = 0.298 (medium effect) for the technical score of free skating, to R² RCH_FS_Tes = 0.425 (large effect).

The data in Table 6 show that the MRA models of our components (C1–C4) significantly explain the variability in the IJS score of Group 2 in all cases. The statistical significance for all MRA models for SB3 and RCH IJS scores is f < 0.001, except for the models for short program (SP), program component score (RCH_SP_Pcs and SB3_SP_Pcs), where f < 0.05. In the MRA models of the advance novice and junior group (Group 2), the Pearson’s R ranges from 0.294 to 0.487. The coefficient of determination (R²) ranges from R² for RCH_SP_Pcs = 0.086 (small effect) to R² for SB3_SP_score = 0.237 (medium effect). Pearson’s R is slightly higher in the regression models for SB3 scores than for RCH scores.

The MRA models that analyze individual variables of the IJS score demonstrate that the principal components, representing the strength and speed predispositions of young skaters, as determined by field tests, have varying impacts on the overall score and its individual elements. The results of the regression analysis for Group 1 shows that individual components C1–C4 affect the IJS scores of young skaters. Component C3 exerts the greatest influence and is consistently significant in all models, and corresponds to the results of the 15 m skating test. Its influence is statistically significant at the level of p = 0.001, affecting both the results of singular events, such as the National Youth Figure Skating Championships, and the recorded results (Table 5).

In the advanced novice and junior category (Group 2), the C3 component, as with Group 1, contributes most significantly to explaining the variance. However, this C3 component, in this instance, is highly correlated with variables representing the results of the TJR, TRL, and SLJ tests (jumps in the horizontal direction) and has a notable effect. Regarding the regression model for the short program components (RCH_SP_Pcs; SB3_SP_Pcs), both for the outcome of the single competition in the National Championship and for the average of the three best races in the season, the effect of C3 is statistically significant at the level of p = 0.05. In all other cases, the effect of C3 is significant at the level of p = 0.01 (Table 6).

Previous studies [2,4,5,7,29] in young figure skaters investigated performance on motor ability tests. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to assess whether the results of non-specific and specific physical field tests can predict success in competitions in young female and male figure skaters. Vertical jumps, locomotion acceleration, and distance jumps are commonly used in elite athlete training, testing, and monitoring, as well as fitness indicators monitored in this study [30]. The analysis was made based on long-term monitoring of physical parameters such as explosive strength and reactive strength of the lower limbs, acceleration running speed, and acceleration skating speed, and IJS scores in the most important official competitions. The performance level of figure skaters was assessed not only based on the results from the top single event such as the National Championship in the corresponding category, but also using averaged results from the three best placements in competitions that qualified figure skaters for the National Championship. We believe that this approach provided a comprehensive view of the level of performance of young figure skaters included in the Talented Youth Training Project throughout the season.

The data show that our tests assess four neuromuscular qualities derived from identified components: fast SSC capability for vertical jumping, slow SSC capability for horizontal jumping, and fast SSC capability for the acceleration phase in both skating and running. Cross-sectional studies [29,31] indicate that SSC performance improves with age and maturation during childhood and adolescence, which corresponds to our finding that the composition of the main components remains consistent across age groups.

These manifestations of explosive strength are internally uncorrelated (orthogonal), which makes them essential for training control in explosive strength development. According to Suchomel et al. [32], we assumed that muscle strength influences force–time characteristics during various sporting movements, including figure skating [3,10,11,33]. These explosive actions are based on coordinated muscle contractions of the lower extremities during the stretch–shortening cycle (SSC) [11,34,35,36].

The analyses indicate that locomotion speed and strength, as assessed by field tests in young skaters (8 to 16 years old), are important predictors of long-term performance and success in the National Championships. Higher correlations were found for the SB3 scores, representing the average score of the three best competitions leading up to the National Championship in both categories. This suggests that increased explosive lower-limb strength and locomotion speed allow athletes to effectively practice and execute more complex elements in training, which are subsequently rewarded with higher scores in competitions. These findings are consistent with the studies by Yordanova [6] and Rauer et al. [7].

In the younger basic novice category (Group 1, 8 to 11 years), the speed of specific locomotion on ice was identified as a significant predictor of performance. This finding underlines the importance of coaching practices that prioritize movement dynamics, which is crucial to execute elements of higher difficulty in free skating. Furthermore, maintaining dynamic balance is essential to master the individual components and combinations of the program, which makes it a determining factor in achieving higher IJS scores in this age Group 1. However, when interpreting the results in figure skaters of this category, it must be considered that even though children of these ages with relatively better speed and explosive strength than their peers may have a natural advantage, this is not definite and although early tests can provide baseline insights into their current abilities and movement quality, they are mainly essential for long-term progression of athletes [37,38,39].

On the contrary, in the advanced novice and junior group, Group 2 (12 to 16 years), the influence of lower-limb explosive strength parameters, particularly in horizontal jumps (SLJ, TJR/TJL), is more pronounced in explaining the variance in IJS scores. In this age category, the successful execution of jumps and pirouettes, which require substantial explosive lower-limb strength, becomes increasingly important for competitive success. This emphasizes the need for early participation in strength and conditioning programs to maximize athleticism and supports the findings of Cruz et al. [2] and Comuk and Erden [11]. Interestingly, our results suggest that vertical force impulse alone, often viewed by coaches as critical for mastering multi-revolution jumps, is not the sole determinant of success for young figure skaters.

Although limited studies assess the impact of explosive lower-limb strength on competition performance, others, such as Cheng and Gonzalez [40] examined individual elements, particularly jumps. Cabell and Bateman [3] note that the trajectory of a jump is established at take-off, and modifying the shape of the jump arc in air is not possible. Furthermore, longer jumps typically require more horizontal velocity, which can enhance performance in combination jumps. Hirosawa et al. [41] also indicate that jump scoring is influenced by the base value and grade of execution (GOE), linking dynamic force characteristics to successful execution and judges’ scoring.