Influences of ski boot binding system on load reduction and kinematics of lower leg during backward fall: Dynamic simulation using an anthropometric dummy

Several studies show a relationship between spoiler stiffness and the resulting loading on the knee during a boot-induced anterior drawer incident. Carrying on the ideas of these investigations, the purpose of our experimental study was to quantify some of the important loading parameters such as the maximum shear force, the horizontal impulse, or the moment of momentum in relation to various settings of spoiler stiffness and different types of bindings (with and without backward release function). In order to increase the internal validity of the investigation, the authors used an anthropometric dummy that has been presented by Bahniuk et al. A specially designed indoor slope allowed numerous simulations of the centralized backward fall under reproducible conditions to be performed. This paper describes the experimental setup, explains and discusses the results of the measurements, and finally gives a short overview of the methodical embedding of this study in the authors' longer-termed investigation of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) risk reduction by ski boot design.