Pulse code modulation telemetry in ski injury research. II. Preliminary results.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Engineering
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Skiing involves complex forces between the boot, ski, and skier.
• Understanding these forces is crucial for preventing injuries and improving equipment design.
• Previous studies have focused on general loading, but detailed analysis of specific maneuvers is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure and analyze the excitation forces between the ski boot and ski during various skiing maneuvers.
• To assess the relationship between skiing forces, maneuver type, and snow conditions.
• To evaluate the potential for injury based on measured loading.

Main Methods:

• Custom-built precision pulse-code modulation (PCM) - frequency modulation (FM) telemetry system.
• Strain-gage force transducers mounted inside test skis.
• Data collection during snowplow, stem christiana, and parallel christiana maneuvers on varied snow conditions and a slalom course.

Main Results:

• Skiing data exhibited nonstationary random characteristics.
• Boot compression exceeded 500 N, primarily due to ski flexure.
• An 80 Hz resonance was observed in the toe binding mechanism.
• Significant combined impulsive loading occurred, varying with maneuver type.
• Forward falls generated bending components exceeding tibia flexural strength, despite laboratory heel binding release.
• Torsion and bending forces during elementary maneuvers surpassed tibia fracture levels.

Conclusions:

• Skiing maneuvers generate substantial forces that can exceed human bone strength.
• The study highlights the risk of tibia fractures even during seemingly basic skiing actions.
• Further research into binding design and skier technique is warranted to mitigate injury risks.