SEDL / STP / STP938-EB / STP23177S

Biomechanical Investigations of the Heel Release of Ski Safety Bindings by Triceps Surae Muscle Action

Menke, W
Medical doctor and biophysicist, Orthopädische Universitätsklinik, Trier,

Bodem, F
Medical doctor and biophysicist, Orthopädische Universitätsklinik, Trier,

Pages: 7    Published: Jan 1987

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Abstract

In a motion analysis laboratory over 100 controlled frontal ski falls could be analyzed by electromyographic, kinematic, and dynamographic methods. One of the most important results was the finding, that about 0.1 s after the beginning of the fall, there is a continuous increasing of Musculus gastrocnemius activity, which corresponds to the development of tensile force in the Achilles tendon and is in full accordance with the plantar flexion of the ankle joint that occurs at the same time. According to the results, binding release by active plantar flexion of the ankle joint has to be considered as a regular heel release mechanism that occurs, in particular, in slow frontal ski falls.