Citation

Leo R, Schonhuber H, Costa G, Bottiglia Amici Grossi PF. J. Sports Traumatol. Rel. Res. 1993; 15(4): 171-178.

Affiliation

Leo, R., 20148 Milano, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Kurtis Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The frequency of patellar enthesitis in the Italian national ski teams has increased in recent years. The cause and origins of this disorder were sought through two biomechanical analyses designed to calculate the stress imposed on the extensor apparatus of the knee during a turn compared with one of the muscle-building exercises most commonly performed by skiers, namely squatting while supporting an additional load. The results showed that the maximum stress imposed on the extensor apparatus during a turn was 1165 N, whereas the force needed to support a 100 kg cross-bar with the knees flexed at 90(degrees) was about 1500 N. The conclusion is therefore drawn that reduction of the incidence of patellar enthesis is professional skiers requires the planning of training in such a way that strengthening of the extensor apparatus is not achieved by increasing the additional load, which should never exceed 80-100 kg in any event, but by increasing the number of times an exercise is performed.

Language: en