Science Friday

Jump, Spin, Glide: The Science Of Figure Skating

February 18, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The quadruple axle, performed by Ilya Malinin, is the hardest technical skill in men's figure skating because it requires four and a half revolutions due to its forward takeoff, demanding exceptional rotational speed (four and a half revolutions in under a second) and body awareness. 
  • A skater's body shape significantly impacts rotational speed during jumps, as a long, narrow physique minimizes the moment of inertia, allowing for faster rotation, which skaters must actively maintain by using strength to pull limbs in tightly. 
  • Landing a high-difficulty jump like the quad axle can subject a skater's ankles to impact forces estimated at eight to ten times their body weight (8-10 G's) over milliseconds, a force mitigated by technique that allows for gradual absorption through the joints, unlike the more abrupt landing on a thin blade. 
  • The four-minute free skate in figure skating demands a complex combination of aerobic and anaerobic energy systems, requiring athletes to maintain high-level athleticism while simultaneously executing technically difficult elements and presenting graceful artistry. 

Segments

Quadruple Axle Mechanics Explained
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(00:00:07)
  • Key Takeaway: The quadruple axle requires four and a half revolutions because the skater takes off facing forward and must land backward.
  • Summary: The quadruple axle is the hardest jump because it demands an extra half rotation compared to other quad jumps due to the forward takeoff and backward landing. Skaters achieve this in air times of approximately 0.8 to 0.9 seconds, necessitating extremely fast rotation rates. Skaters must rely on internal body awareness rather than visual spotting to know their position in the air.
Factors in Jump Success
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(00:03:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Successful quad axels rely on achieving great height quickly and immediately snapping into a tight, straight rotational body position.
  • Summary: Ilia Malinin’s success is attributed to generating significant height quickly and immediately adopting a tight body position with legs straight and arms crossed tightly across the chest. This rapid transition maximizes rotational speed during the brief time spent airborne. Mental fortitude is also crucial, especially given the high expectations associated with Olympic competition.
Body Size and Moment of Inertia
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(00:05:07)
  • Key Takeaway: A smaller moment of inertia, achieved by being long and narrow, allows a skater to rotate faster in the air.
  • Summary: Body size is a critical factor governed by the physics concept of the moment of inertia, which measures resistance to angular acceleration. Skaters minimize this inertia by keeping body parts, like arms and legs, close to the body’s center, similar to pulling arms in on a merry-go-round. Strength is required to counteract the outward pull and maintain this tight position throughout the rotation.
Physics Dictates Technique
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(00:06:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Skaters must utilize specific techniques to optimize performance within the constraints imposed by the laws of physics.
  • Summary: Every element a skater performs is constrained by physics, requiring technique to work within the limited air time and required rotation speed. Skaters generate angular momentum by skating on curves leading into and out of jumps and spins. Momentum is shed by opening the arms (increasing moment of inertia) or by using the toe pick against the ice to create torque.
Impact Forces on Landing
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(00:09:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Landing a high jump can generate impact forces of eight to ten times the skater’s body weight (8-10 G’s) for a fraction of a second.
  • Summary: While direct measurement is difficult, estimates suggest that landing a jump as high as the quad axle results in forces of 8 to 10 G’s upon impact. This high force is absorbed over milliseconds, unlike sustained G-forces experienced by pilots. Ballet dancers may absorb less force because they land on the ball of the foot and use a greater range of motion in the ankle, knee, and hip to spread the impact over a longer time.
Transferability to Other Sports
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(00:12:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Figure skating rotational skills, particularly twisting motions, are most transferable to aerial skiing, which also emphasizes twisting.
  • Summary: Figure skating primarily involves twisting motions, making it potentially more transferable to aerial skiing than sports like half-pipe, which involve more inverts and flips simultaneously. While skaters could likely use speed skates, the equipment differences—like blade offsets in short track or the hinge on long track skates—mean skills do not transfer directly between skating disciplines.
Endurance Demands of Free Skate
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(00:14:27)
  • Key Takeaway: The four-minute free skate requires training both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems simultaneously due to the mix of high-power jumps and sustained gliding.
  • Summary: The four-minute duration of the free skate is comparable in training difficulty to a miler in track and field. Training must balance aerobic power (using oxygen) with anaerobic energy systems because the program mixes intense jumps with periods of controlled gliding. Skaters must manage energy systems while maintaining beautiful presentation and control over both fast and slow elements.
Future Research Questions
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(00:15:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Current sports science research focuses on quantifying landing loads relative to skill difficulty to develop evidence-based training schedules that reduce overuse injuries.
  • Summary: Major questions in figure skating physics involve quantifying the loads experienced during landings and correlating them with common overuse injuries seen in skaters. Scientists are also investigating how targeted off-ice training translates to improved on-ice technique and injury reduction. This research aims to provide evidence-based advice for training and scheduling.