A competitive downhill mogul skier wants to improve her performance. What is the most appropriate exercise for building strength to better handle the impact and intensity during a race?

The most appropriate exercise for a competitive downhill mogul skier looking to enhance performance is the squat. Squats are a compound movement that engages multiple muscle groups, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and core, which are all essential for skiing. This exercise simulates the squat position that skiers adopt when navigating the moguls and helps to build the functional strength necessary to endure the impact and intensity of racing. Additionally, squats improve overall stability and balance, which are crucial for maintaining control while skiing down a slope.

In contrast, while exercises like the leg press, leg extension, and leg curl can contribute to muscle strength, they are less functional for the specific demands of skiing. The leg press targets the quadriceps but does not effectively engage the core or mimic the skiing posture. Leg extensions isolate the quadriceps and lack the full-body strength development that squats provide. Similarly, leg curls primarily target the hamstrings and also do not involve the critical engagement of multiple muscle groups for balance and stability during skiing. Therefore, squats are the superior choice for training a skier to handle the physical demands of mogul skiing.