Lower extremity injuries in figure skaters

NewsBot · Apr 2, 2013

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From LER:
Over the Edge: Lower extremity injuries in figure skaters

Competitive figure skating today is much less about artistry and much more about athleticism than in years past. Training is longer and harder than ever, while the classic unforgiving skate boot design has remained essentially unchanged. And lower extremity injuries in skaters are on the rise.
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Admin2 · Feb 25, 2015

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NewsBot · Jul 29, 2015

Lower Extremity Overuse Conditions Affecting Figure Skaters During Daily Training
Valentina Campanelli et al
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine July 2015 vol. 3 no. 7

Background Most ice figure skaters train and compete with ongoing issues in the lower extremities, which are often overlooked by the skaters and considered injuries only when they prevent the athletes from skating. Although not severe, these conditions impair the quality of daily training and compromise the skaters’ state of mind and performances.
Purpose (1) To determine the point prevalence of the ongoing lower extremity overuse conditions in a population of ice figure skaters of all ages and levels and (2) to identify the risk factors contributing to the development of the most common ongoing conditions.
Study Design Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.
Methods A total of 95 skaters of all ages and skating levels were evaluated in a single examination in the middle of the competitive season. Data collection consisted of a questionnaire, clinical examination, and measurement of the skaters’ characteristics and the equipment used.
Results Retrocalcaneal bursitis was the most common problem, affecting at least 1 foot in 34% of the skaters evaluated, followed by posterior heel skin calluses and superficial calcaneal bursitis, which affected 29% and 28% of skaters, respectively. The prevalence of the majority of these conditions was 10% to 32% higher in elite skaters than in nonelite skaters. Higher boot–foot length difference was associated with greater risk of superficial calcaneal bursitis in the landing foot of elite skaters, while higher body weight and greater in-skate ankle flexibility were associated with the development of retrocalcaneal bursitis in nonelite skaters. Only 30 skaters (32%) wore the appropriate boot size, while 57 skaters (51%) could not dorsiflex their ankles properly while wearing skates.
Conclusion The heel represents a major area of concern for the high prevalence of calcaneal bursitis and calluses in proximity of the Achilles tendon, suggesting that improvements on the boot heel cup design should take priority. The association of bursitis with higher in-skate ankle flexibility suggests that these conditions may be the results of a process developing when the ankle is bending within the boot. Also, since wearing oversized boots is a major risk factor for the development of subcutaneous bursitis and skin abrasions, boot retailers should be better educated to sell the appropriate boot size to the skaters.
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NewsBot · Sep 24, 2016

Selected plantar pressure characteristics associated with the skating performance of national in-line speed skaters.
Wu WL et al
Sports Biomech. 2016 Sep 23:1-10

In order to help coaches analyse the techniques of professional in-line speed skaters for making the required fine adjustments and corrections in their push-off work, this study analysed the specific plantar pressure characteristics during a 300-m time-trial test. Fourteen elite in-line speed skaters from the national team were recruited in this study. The total completion time of the 300-m time-trial test, duration of each skating phase, and plantar pressure distribution were measured. The correlation between plantar pressure distribution and skating performance was assessed using Pearson correlation analyses. The results showed that the contact time of the total foot and force-time integral (FTI) in the medial forefoot were significantly correlated with the duration of the start phase, and the FTIs in the medial forefoot of the gliding (left) leg and lateral forefoot of the pushing (right) leg were significantly correlated with the duration of the turning phase. The maximum force in the medial heel, medial forefoot, and median forefoot and the FTI in the medial heel and medial forefoot were significantly correlated with the duration of the linear acceleration phase. The results suggest that a correct plantar loading area and push-off strategy can enhance the skating performance.
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NewsBot · Oct 11, 2016

The effects of different figure skating
boots on the human body during the
landing impact.
- A comparison between two figure skating boots,
Edea and Graf.
Ondrej Spiegl
Masters Thesis, GIH, 2016

Aim: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of different figure skating
boots on kinetic and kinematic properties of the landing impact. The focus was on the vertical
ground reaction force (VGRF) and kinematic differences between the examined boots during
the landing impact as well as the material and construction design differences between the
boots.
The hypothesis was that different figure skating boots (Graf Edmonton and Edea Concerto)
differently affect the VGRF and kinematics during the landing impact so some figure skating
boots may reduce the impact at landing and could therefore possibly prevent injuries.
Method: Six subjects each simulated figure skating landings wearing two different types of
skates from two different heights, on artificial ice. Differences were investigated between the
boots in angular position of individual body segments and in the VGRF that acts between the
skate and a force platform underneath a plastic ice surface, as well as the force which acts
between the skate and the foot. The landings were examined with a Pedar-X in-shoe pressure
measuring system, a Kistler force plate and a Qualysis motion capture system. The obtained
values of each variable were statistically compared between the boots using SPSS.
Results: Statistically significant (p≤0.05) differences between the boots were seen in the
degree of right ankle and knee joint flexion during the initial landing impact, in the degree of
right ankle joint peak flexion, as well as in the force magnitude experienced by the right foot
during the landing impacts as well as for the area under the max force-time curve.
Furthermore, differences were seen in the construction design, materials, sizes of the outsole
and in the stiffness.
Conclusions: This research suggests there are differences in lower extremity VGRF and
kinematic effects of landing impact when using different boots. It also suggests that some
figure skating boots reduce the loading on the human body during the landing impacts more
than others and therefore could help in preventing injuries.
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NewsBot · Nov 22, 2017

The effects of weighted skates on ice-skating kinematics, kinetics and muscular activity
Matthew P. Mavor, Dean C. Hay & Ryan B. Graham
Journal of Sports Sciences 21 Nov 2017

Sport-specific resistance training, through limb loading, can be a complimentary training method to traditional resistance training by loading the working muscles during all phases of a specific movement. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of skating with an additional load on the skate, using a skate weight prototype, on kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation during the acceleration phase while skating on a synthetic ice surface. 10 male hockey skaters accelerated from rest (standing erect with knees slightly bent) under four non-randomized load conditions: baseline 1 (no weight), light (0.9 kg per skate), heavy (1.8 kg per skate), and baseline 2 (no weight). Skating with additional weight caused athletes to skate slower (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.551), and led to few changes in kinematics: hip sagittal range of motion (ROM) decreased (2.2°; p = 0.032; η2 = 0.274), hip transverse ROM decreased (3.4°; p < 0.001; η2 = 0.494), ankle sagittal ROM decreased (2.3°; p = 0.022; η2 = 0.295), and knee sagittal ROM increased (7.8°; p < 0.001, η2 = 0.761). Overall, weighted skates decreased skating velocity, but athletes maintained similar muscle activation profiles (magnitude and trends) with minor changes to their skating kinematics.
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NewsBot · May 10, 2018

Epidemiology of Figure Skating Injuries: A Review of the Literature.
Han JS et al
Sports Health. 2018 May 1:1941738118774769.

CONTEXT:
As the popularity and technical demands of figure skating increase, so will the number of athletes presenting with sport-related problems.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION:
Searches were performed across PubMed from 1980 to 2017. The keywords searched were skating, skaters, incidence, and injuries. The search was limited to English-language articles and human participants. Relevant articles were cross-referenced.

STUDY DESIGN:
Clinical review.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
Level 5.

RESULTS:
Previous studies suggest an increase in incidence of figure skating injuries from 1982 to 2003. When combining all disciplines of figure skating, there is a similar proportion of acute and overuse injuries. Within disciplines, overuse injuries appear to be more common in singles skating, while acute injuries are more common in pairs skating, ice dancing, and synchronized skating. Lower extremity injuries are more common than upper extremity injuries in all disciplines, and pairs skating accounts for the majority of upper extremity injuries. Ankle sprains are the most common skating injury, and patellar tendinitis is the most common overuse injury across all disciplines. Stress fractures are the most common overuse injury in female singles skaters.

CONCLUSION:
The predominance of overuse injuries in singles disciplines reflects their increasing technical difficulty, with more difficult jumps and longer training hours. Partner disciplines are more likely to involve acute injuries and upper extremity injuries due to high-risk throws and lifts. Emphasis should be placed on properly fitting skating boots, intrinsic foot and ankle strengthening, and lower extremity flexibility, which may prevent many of the common lower extremity and back injuries in figure skating.
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NewsBot · Jan 5, 2019

The effects of new Edea and Graf figure skating boots and used Graf boots on the kinetics and kinematics of landing after simulated on-ice jumps
Ondrej Spiegl, Olga Tarassova & Anton Arndt
Footwear Science: 04 Jan 2019

An increase in training intensity and the number of active participants and competitors in figure skating has been accompanied by an increasing frequency of injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate whether different brands of skates as well as the usage of the skates modify the kinetics and kinematics of the landing impact from a jump. New Graf Edmonton (NG), old used Graf Edmonton (OG) and new Edea Concerto (NE) skates were compared. Twelve participants completed six jump trials from 30 cm and 50 cm high boxes, respectively in all three skates and landed on a section of artificial ice placed on a laboratory floor. Landing kinematics (Oqus4 system, Qualisys, Sweden) and kinetics (force plate: Kistler, Switzerland; insoles: Pedar, Novel, Germany) were examined. Each participant acted as their own control for statistical comparison between the skates. The results confirmed that the kinetics and kinematics of the landing are affected by wearing different skates. During landing impacts in NG, participants had significantly greater dorsiflexion at initial contact (IC) and peak dorsiflexion of the ankle, peak flexion of the knee and also greater in-skate plantar forces (PF) than in NE, which may increase the risk of injury. In OG, participants had significantly greater peak flexion of knee and longer time from IC to first peak dorsiflexion (TP) of the ankle than in NG. The differences observed may be due to the different construction designs, such as height of the heel, used materials, and stiffness of the skates, which may affect injury occurrence.
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NewsBot · Jan 11, 2019

Artistry on Ice: the physical and athletic demands of figure skating and the vital role physiotherapists play

NewsBot · Jul 6, 2021

Determinants of Sports Injury in Young Female Swedish Competitive Figure Skaters
Moa Jederström et al
Front Sports Act Living. 2021 Jun 18

Introduction: Although figure skating attracts several hundred thousand participants worldwide, there is little knowledge about physical health and sports injuries among young skaters. The present study aimed to describe the health status of a geographically defined Swedish population of licensed competitive figure skaters and to examine injury determinants. Methods: All licensed competitive skaters in the southeastern region of Sweden were in April 2019 invited to participate in a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire. Multiple binary logistic regression was used for the examination of injury determinants. The primary outcome measure was the 1-year prevalence of a severe sports injury episode (time loss >21 days). The secondary outcome measure was the point prevalence of an ongoing injury. The determinants analyzed were age, skating level, relative energy deficiency indicators, and training habits. Results: In total, 142 (36%) skaters participated, 137 (96%) girls [mean (SD) age: 12.9 (SD 3.0) years]. Participating boys (n = 5) were excluded from further analysis. The 1-year prevalence of a severe sports injury episode was 31%. The most common injury locations for these injuries were the knee (25%), ankle (20%), and hip/groin (15%). In the multiple model, having sustained a severe injury episode was associated with older age (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4; p = 0.002) and an increased number of skipped meals per week (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.3; p = 0.014). The point prevalence of an ongoing injury episode was 19%. The most common locations were the knee (24%), ankle (24%), and foot (24%). Having an ongoing injury episode was associated with older age (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.7; p < 0.001) and an increased number of skipped meals per week (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.3; p = 0.049). Conclusion: One-third of young female Swedish competitive figure skaters had sustained a severe injury episode during the past year, and a fifth reported an ongoing episode. Older age and an increased number of skipped meals per week were associated with a sports injury episode. Long-term monotonous physical loads with increasing intensity and insufficient energy intake appear to predispose for injury in young female figure skaters. Further examination of injury determinants among competitive figure skaters is highly warranted.
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Brian A. Rothbart · Jul 7, 2021

Why do so many ice skaters offset their blades to the inside?

Answer that question - and go from there.

Comments?

NewsBot · Apr 20, 2023

Injury characteristics of young elite inline speed skaters: A one season cohort study
Marcos Quintana-Cepedal et al
Phys Sportsmed. 2023 Apr 20.

Objectives: Determining the rate of injuries related to a certain sport is accepted as the primary step toward designing, implementing and evaluating injury prevention programs. This observational and retrospective study was to examine the injuries sustained by elite young Spanish inline speed skaters during a season.

Methods: Athletes participating in the national championship (n= 80) were surveyed via an anonymous online questionnaire to screen for injury characteristics: incidence, location, and tissue affected; plus training information and demographics.

Results: A total of 52 injuries were recorded across 33,351 hours of exposure, which gives a rate of 1.65/1,000 h. The lower body comprised 79% of the total amount of injuries (1.3/1000 h), and the main areas affected were the thigh and foot, accounting for 25% and 19.2% of the recorded injuries, respectively. Musculotendinous injuries were the most frequent, with an incidence of 0.92/1000 h. No significant gender differences were observed for any of the variables studied.

Conclusion: Speed skating can be considered a low injury rate sport based on our findings. The risk of sustaining an injury was independent of gender, age, and BMI.
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NewsBot · Oct 26, 2023

Investigation of the Mechanical Response of the Foot Structure Considering Push-Off Angles in Speed Skating
Haichun Wang et al
Bioengineering 2023, 10(10), 1218

The push-off angle is an important factor affecting speed-skating performance. However, quantitative evidence for the relationship between the push-off angle and foot injury is incomplete. This study aimed to establish a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) and investigate the mechanical responses of foot structures to stress and strain to explore the relationship between injury and movement. A 3D FEM was reconstructed using CT and 3D scan data and validated by comparing the FEM-predicted and in vivo measurement data in the balanced standing state. A push-off angle obtained from a video of a champion was loaded into the FEM. The error rates of validation were less than 10%. With a decrease in the push-off angle, the stress on the metatarsal increased; the stress on the talus, ankle joint cartilage and plantar fascia decreased, as did the strain on the ankle joint cartilage and plantar fascia. The FEM was considered reasonable. Not all foot structures had an increased risk of injury with a decrease in the push-off angle from 70° to 42°. The FEM established in this study provides a possibility for further determining and quantifying the relationship between foot injury and skating technique.
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NewsBot · Dec 31, 2023

Investigating the agreement between force platform and plantar pressure insole data in barefoot and skating-specific footwear conditions across four different movement patterns
C. Dunne,T. Hsu,K. Lockwood,M. Holmes,E. Wagnac &J. Clément
23 Nov 2023

Conducting applied sport research in real-world settings is challenged by the lack of portable instrumentation capable of producing valid and reliable data that is collected without interfering with the athletes’ movement and is meaningful to sport performance. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast data collected simultaneously from a force platform and a plantar pressure insole to provide support for the use of the XSENSOR® plantar pressure insoles in a skating-performance application. Data was collected in two conditions. The barefoot condition consisted of the insole on a force platform in isolation and the in-skate condition consisted of the insole inside a speed skate boot on a force platform. A single-participant design was conducted whereby an injury-free female completed multiple trials in both conditions. A P6000 Force Platform (BTS Bioengineering Corp., MI, Italy) was used to collect force data and an X4 Foot and Gait Measurement Systems plantar pressure insole (XSENSOR® Technology Corporation, AB, Canada) was used to collect pressure data in the two conditions across four movement patterns; static stance (SS), anterior-posterior sway (AP), medial-lateral sway (ML), and lateral jump (LJ). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots revealed excellent agreement between the cumulative centre of pressure path length (mm) measured from the force platform and insole in the barefoot condition and moderate to excellent agreement between impulse (Ns) measured from the force platform and insole, in both conditions. These outcomes provide researchers and practitioners with empirical support and confidence to employ the XSENSOR® plantar pressure insoles outside of a laboratory setting in a real-world skating environment to collect and analyse in-skate kinetic data during on ice performance.
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