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[Ski shoe versus knee joint--3: Risk for falling backward].
1Institut für biomechanische Analysen im Sport und interdisziplinäre Studien (BASiS) TUV-PS, München.
Summary
Skiing knee injuries are rising despite fewer lower leg fractures. A new ski boot design with a yielding rear spoiler significantly reduces knee forces, potentially lowering injury rates.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Orthopedics
Context:
- Knee injuries, particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures, remain a significant concern in alpine skiing.
- Unlike lower leg fractures, the incidence of knee injuries has not decreased, indicating a need for improved safety measures.
Purpose:
- To investigate the biomechanics of forward/backward movement in ski boots and its relation to knee injuries.
- To develop and test a novel ski boot safety concept aimed at reducing knee injury incidence.
Summary:
- A study analyzed ski boot mechanics, revealing that stiff forward flexion and fixed rear spoilers contribute to a backward lean skiing style, increasing knee stress.
- A specially designed ski boot with a yielding rear spoiler demonstrated a significant reduction (up to 5.5 times) in peak knee forces and lower joint acceleration compared to rigid spoilers.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that ski boot design, similar to safety bindings, should incorporate mechanisms to mitigate injury risk.
- Implementing adjustable rear spoiler stiffness in ski boots could be a crucial step in reducing the high rate of knee injuries in alpine skiing.