Ski Boots: Biomechanical Issues Regarding Skiing Safety and Performance

Abstract

In a state-of-the-art paper on skiing performance and on skiing safety, aspects of ski boot design are discussed. The influence of ski boots on the skier-bootbinding-ski system is described, and suggestions are made about improving ski boots regarding better skiing performance, less inadvertent binding releases, and less lower extremity equipment related injuries. The design of the boot sole and the boot shaft with its influence on binding release values is particularly described. Furthermore, in the forward lean the shaft stiffness of modern ski boots and their pressure distribution is very important for good skiing performance and reduction of injuries of the ankle joint and the tibia. The built-in forward lean and the stiffness to the rear can be related to the acting forces in the anterior cruciate ligament, and first approximations to reduce the risk of these injuries are given.

Effect of Ankle Taping and Bracing on Vertical Ground Reaction Forces During Drop Landings Before and After Treadmill Jogging

“…These alterations led to the hypothesis that some ankle orthoses may reduce the ability of the ankle to absorb energy, and thereby increase the dissipation demands of the knee and hip joints. 28 This hypothesis parallels the speculation that the effective protection of the lower leg and ankle by ski boots promotes direct translation of the forces to the knee, 22 thereby explaining the high incidence of knee injury in skiers.…”

Anterior cruciate ligament injury in recreational alpine skiers: analysis of mechanisms and strategy for prevention

“…A fall in this position is usually the result of the skier's poor technique on entering a jump and on landing. 6,18 Thirdly, overconfident skiers tend to select very difficult slopes despite their poor technical abilities. Also, less safety-conscious skiers tend to ignore their fatigue and other extrinsic factors such as the weather or the slope condition.…”

“…In previous studies, ACL skiing injuries were frequently reported to be related to LEER injuries, and in particular, to the functional failure of the ski bindings. 2,[4][5][6][7][8][9]12,15,17,22 However, the influence of other factors, such as the skier's physical condition, the course difficulty, and the slope conditions, have been, unfortunately, underestimated.…”

“…16,21 According to previous studies, most ACL complete tears seen in recreational skiers were LEER injuries. 1,3,4,6,8,9,12,21 Morrissey et al 19 reported that, in many cases, LEER injuries were caused by a combination of passive and active loads arising from the ski equipment. Speer et al 20 reported that the patient's overall recall of the circumstances of the LEER injury was inconsistent, and they suggested the need for an accurate analysis of the causes of LEER injuries.…”

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Forces in Alpine Skiing

“…The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in Alpine skiing has increased in the past 2 decades (Bechtel, Ellman, & Jordon, 1984;Feagin et al, 1987;Hauser & Schaff, 1987;Howe & Johnson, 1982;Johnson, Ettlinger, & Shealy, 1991;McConkey, 1986). This increase has been associated at least partly with changes in the design of ski boots and the design and release settings of bindings (Bally, Boreiko, Bonjour, & Brown, 1989;Figueras et al, 1987;Johnson, Ettlinger, Campbell, & Pope, 1980;Johnson, Ettlinger, & Shealy, 1989;Johnson et al, 1991).…”