MECHANICAL AND METABOLIC ENERGY ASPECTS OF DIFFERENT BINDING-BOOT SYSTEMS IN SKI-TOURING

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of different ski touring equipment on the energy cost of ski-tourers during uphill walking with skis. The material was studied both from a mere mechanical aspect as well as from a metabolic point of view. For the metabolic study a total of 16 subjects completed several uphill walks with skis on a treadmill inclined 15° and an average walking speed of 2.5 km/h. During these uphill walks the average oxygen uptake was measured by Cosmed K4b2. The mechanical study was carried out by measuring mass, points of rotation and center of mass and calculating the mechanical energy cost of the diverse binding-boot systems. The results of the mechanical study, as well as the metabolic results went into the same direction, though the differences in metabolic energy cost between the diverse binding-boot systems were more distinct. The differences in energy cost among the bindings were significant while the difference regarding boots was not. Taking the results in consideration, the use of specific ski-touring equipment can reduce the energy cost of a ski-tourer which allows him to complete an ascent faster or save energy for the downhill run.