Changes in the lower limb joint angle during the simulated skiing

Abstract

[Purpose] This study conducted a 3-dimensional kinematic analysis in order to examine changes in the movements of the lower limb joints during simulated skiing, to prevent skiing-related injuries. [Subjects] The participants (8 males, average age: 30.3 ± 3.0 years, average height: 178.5 ± 3.9 cm, average weight: 79.9 ± 3.4 kg, average career: 7.5 ± 1.9 years) held a certificate issued by the Korea Ski Instructors Association. [Methods] This experiment was conducted using a motion analysis system which recorded the subjects training on a ski simulator. The hip, knee and ankle joints' ranges of angles were measured in the sagittal and coronal planes during simulated skiing. The paired t-test was conducted in order to examine changes in the lower limb joint motions. [Results] After training on the ski simulator, the range of angles of the performers' hip joints in the sagittal plane decreased in each of the analyzed events. The range of angles of the knee joints in both the sagittal and coronal planes increased. Movements of the ankle joints in the sagittal plane, and overall movements of the left and right sides decreased. [Conclusion] To avoid skiing injuries in the lower limbs, exercise to strengthen the quadriceps and hamstring muscles to balance their strength is necessary. In particular, exercise to strengthen the hamstring muscles is required.