title: Characterizing the mechanical parameters of forward and backward falls as experienced in snowboarding.
abstract: Wrist injuries are frequently observed after falls in snowboarding. In this study, laboratory experiments mimicking forward and backward falls were analysed. In six different falling scenarios, participants self-initiated falls from a static initial position. Eighteen volunteers conducted a total of 741 trials. Measurements were taken for basic parameters describing the kinematics as well as the biomechanical loading during impact, such as impact force, impact acceleration, and velocity. The effective mass affecting the wrist in a fall also was determined. The elbow angle at impact showed a more extended arm in backward falls compared to forward falls, whereas the wrist angle at impact remained similar in forward and backward falls. The study results suggest a new performance standard for wrist guards, indicating the following parameters to characterize an impact: an effective mass acting on one wrist of 3-5 kg, an impact angle of 75 degrees of the forearm relative to the ground, and an impact velocity of 3 m/s.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. schmitt@ethz.ch
authors.forename: Kai-Uwe
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wider
authors.forename: Frank I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Othmar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brügger
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: Jachen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Denoth
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012865:Skiing; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult