Skiing Safety in Children: Adjustment and Reliability of the Bindings

Abstract

Children (100) were picked at random from ski lift queues and were questioned as regards their skiing ability, experience, and ski equipment. Around 40% of the skiers had not made any adjustment and/or setting of the bindings. The lateral toe release and recentering forces were recorded. Irrespective of to which reference system results were correlated, a very low percentage of bindings with acceptable setting were found. Of the bindings 60% did not have any space between the sole of the boot and the slip plate. After correction of the space, the lateral toe release torque decreased significantly. Only 20% of the bindings displayed a recentering force. Results indicate the need for several improvements regarding childrens release bindings, including factors such as mechanical function, adjustment, and testing. The IAS [International Workshop for Safety in Skiing] reference system is recommended as the best of the existing reference systems.