Ski Boots: Biomechanical Issues Regarding Skiing Safety and Performance

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.