[Stress on the Achilles tendon in Alpine skiing].

In an attempt to gain more systematic knowledge of the biomechanical mechanism involved in the genesis of injuries caused by a fall during skiing, we undertook a comprehensive analysis of more than 100 experimental ski falls simulated under controlled conditions. The well-known relation between speed, release time of the ski binding and injury risk of the lower extremity was confirmed by our experimental results. The EMG investigations revealed the central importance of the musculus triceps surae, and hence of the Achilles tendon, during a fall. The results of our biomechanical model indicate that the present method of setting the ski binding according to the tibial strength, is rather questionable, to say the least.