The Influence of Ski Waist-Width and Fatigue on Knee-Joint Stability and Skier Balance

[Philpug]

This is a great study...

Abstract​

Alpine skiing is a complex sport that demands a high level of motor control and balance. In general, skiers are prone to deterioration in the state of fatigue due to using inappropriate equipment. As a consequence, the risk of injury might increase. This study aimed to examine the influence of fatigue and ski waist-width on knee-joint stability and skier’s balance. A laboratory skiing simulation in a quasistatic ski-turning position was conducted where the lower-limb kinematics was recorded using an optical system, and the balance-determining parameters were captured using a force plate. It was demonstrated that the knee-joint kinematics and skier’s balance were hampered in the state of fatigue, as well as when using skis with a large waist-width. The results of the study suggest avoiding the fatigue state and the use of skis having a large waist-width while skiing on hard surfaces to decrease the risk of injury.

Full report here...

The Influence of Ski Waist-Width and Fatigue on Knee-Joint Stability and Skier’s Balance

Alpine skiing is a complex sport that demands a high level of motor control and balance. In general, skiers are prone to deterioration in the state of fatigue due to using inappropriate equipment. As a consequence, the risk of injury might increase. This study aimed to examine the influence of...

www.mdpi.com

 

[pchewn]

Conclusions:

1. Get narrow skis for most on-piste skiing.
2. If not narrow, take breaks often to rest and recover from fatigue of skiing on too wide of skis.

 

[Dakine]

Wide skis on hard snow wear you out!

 

[Uncle-A]

If I understand the study it is a 60 MM & 100 MM width that was used. It would be interesting to see the difference between 70, 80, 90 MM and a fatigue factor for each of the widths. It might be a consideration when making a ski purchase.

 

[graham418]

Thats an awful lot of words and numbers and graphs to explain what we already knew. Wide skis make my knees hurt on the hard snow. And the tireder I get, the worse it is.

 

[martyg]

If I understand the study it is a 60 MM & 100 MM width that was used. It would be interesting to see the difference between 70, 80, 90 MM and a fatigue factor for each of the widths. It might be a consideration when making a ski purchase.

Look up Dr John Seifert's work. He dives into it. There is also a study or three out of Europe on the subject.

 

[DocGKR]

As discussed several times previously, this is a good presentation on the subject by Dr. Seifert:

Some research defines narrow skis as under 80mm, mid = 80-90mm, and wide is over 90mm.

 

[Bill Miles]

I get fatigued because I am old and out of shape. I wonder how they controlled their study for factors such as those.

 

[François Pugh]

If I understand the study it is a 60 MM & 100 MM width that was used. It would be interesting to see the difference between 70, 80, 90 MM and a fatigue factor for each of the widths. It might be a consideration when making a ski purchase.

Meh, to me it's pretty simple. How wide are your feet? That's the design width (designed by Mother Nature) for hard snow. You should have a reason to deviate from that. For soft snow, the ski should be able to sink in half-way accross the width when on edge. That's my pseudo-scientific physics design.

 

[Tony Storaro]

Conclusions:

1. Get narrow skis for most on-piste skiing.

So, SkiTalk folks have been right all along? As opposed to Blister? Who would have thought....

 

[Tony Storaro]

Thats an awful lot of words and numbers and graphs to explain what we already knew.

Damn right!

 

[Tony Storaro]

Meh, to me it's pretty simple. How wide are your feet? That's the design width (designed by Mother Nature) for hard snow. You should have a reason to deviate from that. For soft snow, the ski should be able to sink in half-way accross the width when on edge. That's my pseudo-scientific physics design.

If that was true most of us would be on 95-100+ ski. Which is wide. I'd say the width of the boot soles. The closer the ski width to this-the less fatiguing.

 

[Cheizz]

America needs to re-evaluate gear standards then... ?

 

[François Pugh]

If that was true most of us would be on 95-100+ ski. Which is wide. I'd say the width of the boot soles. The closer the ski width to this-the less fatiguing.

I was thinking average between ball and heel, but you're right. Just use pseudo-science physics for all cases: need a reason to deviate from sinking in half way across the width - makes the ideal width for ice = skate blade width.

 

[jt10000]

Meh, to me it's pretty simple. How wide are your feet? That's the design width (designed by Mother Nature) for hard snow. You should have a reason to deviate from that. For soft snow, the ski should be able to sink in half-way accross the width when on edge. That's my pseudo-scientific physics design.

Interesting. I just measured my feet, weighted, at 100mm wide. I'm an average sized guy (26.5 boot, 165-170 pounds) so you're saying my hard snow skis should be 100mm wide?

I'm a newb on 79 waist Völkls but I guess those must be way too wide for East coast resort skiing - right?

EDIT - Oh, just saw your new formula. It's hard to measure my heel, but it's about 60mm wide. So 80mm hard snow ski? Or do you mean the contact patch? That's very hard to measure but I'd guess it's 40mm, so 70mm hard snow ski? Maybe that's right

 

[Tony Storaro]

America needs to re-evaluate gear standards then... ?

Shhh....keep it quiet. Let them play with whatever they like, we need more Americans on 100+ on our hard icy groomers, this is SO MUCH FUN

 

[Tony Storaro]

EDIT - Oh, just saw your new formula. It's hard to measure my heel, but it's about 60mm wide. So 80mm hard snow ski? Or do you mean the contact patch? That's very hard to measure but I'd guess it's 40mm, so 70mm hard snow ski? Maybe that's right

Let's shake on 65-71, shall we...

 

[cantunamunch]

EDIT - Oh, just saw your new formula. It's hard to measure my heel, but it's about 60mm wide. So 80mm hard snow ski? Or do you mean the contact patch? That's very hard to measure but I'd guess it's 40mm, so 70mm hard snow ski? Maybe that's right

Do 45 just like your skate skis

 

[DocGKR]

Most of the research I've perused suggests 80mm and under for harder snow as found on typical groomers.

The hardest snow typically skied is injected racing surfaces--what width skis are used for those?

 

[Tony Storaro]

The hardest snow typically skied is injected racing surfaces--what width skis are used for those?

Uhmmmm....65? What do I win?