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Technical possibilities for optimising the ski-binding-boot functional unit to reduce knee injuries in recreational alpine skiing

Sports Engineering volume 16, pages 211–228 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

This review study focuses on knee injuries in recreational alpine skiing. The objectives of this study were (1) to provide selected knowledge derived from current and past knee injury epidemiology; (2) to outline the most important knee injury mechanisms; and (3) to review and discuss how modifications of the skiing equipment might alleviate the risk of knee injuries. This review represents the essence of a comprehensive research report and considers the content of more than 230 scientific papers, further “grey literature”, patents, international standards and other publications. Knee injuries are the most frequent injuries in alpine skiing and their incidence rate remained high despite a decline of the incidence of other skiing injuries in recent years. Women have a higher knee injury risk, but age and tiredness appear not to be significant factors. Apart from the commonly described injury mechanisms “phantom foot” and “boot-induced anterior drawer” other more sophisticated injury categorisations are given. The ski radius, the ski length and the standing height on the ski may be relevant ski parameters. For the binding, the release mechanisms in different mechanical degrees of freedom, the impact tolerance and the maintenance frequency are discussed. In the ski boot, the height of the upper, the boot liner, the shaft stiffness, and the position on the ski may play a role. The biggest challenge, but probably also the biggest opportunity for a reduction of knee injury rates seems to be the development of a mechatronic binding. The current strategies to develop these types of bindings are explained and illustrated by one example. Some of the possible parameters which may be essential for the necessary control algorithms are described. Finally, considerations regarding the strategic and operational implication of the analysed technical measures are given.

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Acknowledgments

This paper is dedicated to Dr. Florian Reim who died of clinical complications following an ACL injury while skiing. Our hope is that this paper will help to improve safety in this sport we so much love.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sport Equipment and Materials, Institute of Ergonomics, Technische Universität München, Boltzmannstrasse 15, 8547, Garching, Germany

    Veit Senner & Stefan Lehner

  2. Research Department, bfu-Swiss Council for Accident Prevention, Berne, Switzerland

    Frank I. Michel & Othmar Brügger

Authors
  1. Veit Senner
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  2. Frank I. Michel
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  3. Stefan Lehner
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  4. Othmar Brügger
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frank I. Michel.

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Senner, V., Michel, F.I., Lehner, S. et al. Technical possibilities for optimising the ski-binding-boot functional unit to reduce knee injuries in recreational alpine skiing. Sports Eng 16, 211–228 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-013-0138-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-013-0138-7

Keywords

  • Alpine skiing
  • Ski
  • Binding
  • Boot
  • ACL
  • Knee injury
  • Injury mechanism