EFFECT OF SKI BOOT TIGHTNESS ON SHOCK ATTENUATION TIME AND JOINT ANGLE WITH ANTERIOR-POSTERIOR FOOT POSITIONING IN DROP LANDINGS

Abstract

Eight recreational skiers performed drop landings barefoot and wearing ski boots. The purpose of this study was to examine if different ski boot tightness affects the shock attenuation time, and minimal joint angles during landings. Shock attenuation time and joint angles were obtained via an AMTI force plate and video analysis of subjects’ drop landings. Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze differences between means for the dependent variables. Our results indicate that differences in ski boot tightness do not affect shock attenuation time during landing. Results also indicate that minimal ankle joint angle can be affected by different ski boot tightness. This implies that a tighter ski boot condition can restrict dorsiflexion of the ankle during landing.