Last Updated24 May 2023

This chapter provides background information on the biomechanics most relevant to skiing. It outlines how the muscles and skeleton function as a system to create the movements of skiing by: describing the planes of movement and how these apply to skiing; describing the key bones, joints and muscles used in skiing; and describing how the body moves as this applies to skiing.

Connectors & Cushions

In addition to the muscles there are other soft tissues that help support and connect body parts or separate different types of tissues and organs. The two kinds of connective tissue most commonly referred to in skiing are ligaments and tendons. Tendons and ligaments are both made of collagen. A ligament is a band of tough, dense, fibrous tissue connecting bones to other bones.

Ligaments

Ligaments are important components of both structural and joint stability. For example, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a large ligament connecting the back of the femur to the front of tibia. When the hamstring stretches past an effective point, the ACL is one of the primary ligaments that serves to maintain knee joint stability.

Tendons

Tendons are the tough fibrous cords that connect bone to muscle. When a muscle tenses, it applies force, pulling the tendon(s) connecting a muscle or muscle group to a bone. As force is transmitted through the tendon to the bone a joint flexes or extends. Tendons also have elastic qualities which help to manage forces acting on the body and aid in stability.

Cartilage

Cartilage forms the slippery surface of the bone ends in the joints.