High impact forces in skateboarding landings affected by landing outcome

Abstract

Purpose. Despite concerns elicited by the injury-rate statistics for skateboarding, the literature has been silent on biomechanical factors that might be causing or exacerbating these injuries. To help fill this void, we sought to describe the kinetic characteristics of landing from a rail slide, one of the more high-risk, albeit common, maneuvers practiced by skateboarders. Methods. Twelve top-amateur or professional skateboarders (BW = 688 ± 89 N) performed rail slide maneuvers down a steep handrail before landing on a force plate. We recorded ground reaction force (GRF) data whether the subjects landed successfully (L) on their skateboards, or, bailed-out (BO), i.e. landed on their feet. Results. Vertical GRF (VGRF) during L had an initial peak, due to skateboard contact, immediately followed by a set of impact peaks (mean = 7.98 ± 1.32 (SD) BW) representing landing on the board. BO showed a VGRF impact peak rising to a significantly higher (P < 0.05) mean of 12.09 ± 2.63 BW. Conclusions. These data suggest that the skateboard provides significant shock attenuation. However, because BO landings are frequent, the relatively high peak ground reaction forces are a cause for concern. Given the musculoskeletal immaturity of typical skateboarders, clinicians should be aware of these high impact forces, and footwear manufacturers should explore ways to reduce peak pressures, and high impact and shear forces in the heel, forefoot, and toe box.

Keywords:

• biomechanics
• fall
• injury
• jump
• kinetics
• sport