title: Investigating physical fitness and race performance as determinants for the ACL injury risk in Alpine ski racing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  ACL ruptures in Alpine ski racers are frequently observed. This study analysed the association between physical fitness, race performance and the knee injury history.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the influence of physical fitness and performance on the knee injury outcome. As part of this study an injury data base (covering 2004-2013) was established that recorded information about the athletes, their fitness status as determined by a standardised fitness test (Swiss Ski Power Test, SSPT) as well as medical information related to injuries. The performance of athletes who sustained knee injury was compared to athletes who suffered no injury or a different injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven (19f, 8 m) of 70 athletes sustained a knee injury. ACL ruptures accounted for 71 % of these knee injuries. While more females sustained a knee injury, the difference between males and females was not statistically significant. It was shown that athletes with a better FIS (Fédération Internationale de Ski) rank were more prone to knee injury. However, none of the parameters related to physical fitness was linked to a history of knee injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A general fitness test as SSPT is not associated with a history of knee injury in Alpine skiing. More specific physical fitness test procedures should be investigated to determine relevant fitness factors.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, AGU Zurich (Working Group on Accident Mechanics), Winkelriedstrasse 27, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Kai-Uwe
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Leopold-Ruzicka-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hörterer
authors.affiliation: Swiss Ski Federation, Haus des Skisports, Worbstrasse 52, Postfach 252 3074, Muri bei, Bern Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.affiliation: Balgrist MoveMed, Swiss Olympic Medical Center, University Hospital Balgrist, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Walter O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Frey
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Leopold-Ruzicka-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8339-8960
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lorenzetti
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL); Athletic injuries; Knee injury; Risk; Skiing