INTRODUCTION: The development of enhanced snowboard equipment is considered in literature to reduce the risk of equipment related injuries in snowboarding (Bladin et al., 1993). Motivated by that, a new semi-release snowboard binding system has been developed at the University of Magdeburg (Krüger et al., 2010). Laboratory tests showed the ability of the binding to reduce critical forces and moments. Another major requirement was to provide riding qualities equal to that of a conventional strap binding. As a part of the development process this study aims the evaluation of this binding system. METHOD: Five snowboarders performed three test runs with the a-prototype (2119 g; 50 mm standing height) and with a conventional binding (Atomic Zombie; 1190 g; 35 mm) on a given course with 13 tums. A full body inertial measurement system (Xsens Moven; 120Hz) was used to collect kinematic data to monitor the binding's influences on the riding technique. Knee joint angles and angles of the ankle joint complex were calculated. To compare the binding's ability of force transmission ground reaction forces and impulse values were calculated from plantar pressure distribution measurements (T&T Medilogic; 120Hz). Additionally, a subjective riding test (conventional binding; 1040 g; 15 mm vs. b-prototype; 1900 g; 35 mm) with 12 riders was conducted applying questionnaires. RESULTS: An increased outer rotation (4.5°; p=0.022) and inversion (6.1°; p=0.023) of the back foot during frontside turns have been observed for the semi-release binding. Contrary, no signfficant differences could be measured concerning knee angles. The impulse values during frontside turns were higher for the conventional binding (10.4%; p=0.000). The subjective riding tests showed significant lower ratings for the release binding concerning force transmission, riding stability, weight and overall impression but advantages regarding to the damping properties and the danger of heel or toe dragging. DISCUSSION: The increased outer rotation and inversion might be a result of stronger steering movements in means of hip and upper body rotation caused by the additional weight of the a-prototype. Disadvantages regarding the force transmission could be found with objective and subjective methods, whereby the validity of plantar normal pressure measurements as an indicator of force transmission has to be seen critically. CONCLUSION: By applying objective biomechanical measurements and subjective ratings a slight but significant performance loss of the new release binding compared to a conventional strap binding could be identified showing indications for further product improvements. REFERENCES Bladin. C., Giddings, P. & Robinson, M. (1993). Australian snowboard injury data base study: A four-year prospective study. American Journal of medicine 21 (5). S. 701 - 704. Krüger, A. et. al. (2010). Safety binding for a snowboard. WO 2010043206, Patent pending.
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