The knee is the part of the body most exposed to injuries in alpine skiing, accounting for more than one third of all traumas, both among recreational skiers and competitive athletes. This was discussed in La Gazzetta dello Sport by Dr. Lorenzo Boldrini of Isokinetic Milan Navigli.
Among the most frequent injuries, rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) stands out, accounting on its own for about 15–20% of injuries in adults. The causes are multiple and include intrinsic factors—such as age, physical condition, and motor control—and extrinsic factors related to snow conditions, course layout, speed, and equipment.
In competitive skiers, the risk increases during races, where falls, errors in judgment, fatigue, and poor visibility can lead to a loss of control. Studies have identified three main injury mechanisms: slip-catch, dynamic snowplow, and landing with the weight shifted backward.
Prevention involves identifying modifiable factors such as dynamic knee valgus, muscle strength, and movement control.
Targeted training programs, based on strength and neuromotor training and tailored to each individual skier, are today the most effective tool for reducing the risk of this feared injury.
