Whole-body vibration in extreme sports

Abstract

This chapter describes the response of the human body to vibration in the practice of extreme sports. Recent literature studies evidenced that the whole-body vibration exposure in kitesurfing, snowboarding and skis is much larger than the limits of the current EU legislation. Nevertheless, the number of studies focused on the degenerative pathologies of the musculoskeletal system in sports is still limited and does not evidence a strong prevalence of back pathologies. After summarizing the vibration exposure in kitesurfing, alpine skiing and snowboarding, the vibration transmissibility along the human body in postures typical of these disciplines is analysed. Results outline that the postures assumed in the extreme sports limits the vibration reaching the back, but increases the mechanical stress on the lower extremities, as testified by the most common injuries in these sports.