Biomechanics of the human leg in alpine skiing

Abstract

Ten years ago, the continually increasing number of injured skiers inspired us at Munich to begin to consider a special program for the prevention of injuries in alpine skiing. All commonly used measures for prevention of injuries resulting from a dangerous fall by the skier were apparently insufficient. Also, release bindings provided only limited protection for the leg, because in 63 percent of the cases of injured skiers, the binding did not release. No definite information was available concerning how to adjust the release bindings for maximal safety. In addition, the mechanical and dynamic characteristics for safe release bindings were not known. These two problems are also currently of great interest in the United States, which has an increasing number of alpine skiers. A subcommittee on ski safety from The American Society for Testing and Materials began extensive work on this subject last year.