RT Book, Section A1 Torry, Michael R. A1 Decker, Michael A1 Steadman, J. Richard A1 Shelburne, Kevin A2 Shamus, Eric A2 Shamus, Jennifer SR Print(0) ID 1142281124 T1 Alpine Skiing T2 Sports Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation, 2e YR 2017 FD 2017 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781259589416 LK accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1142281124 RD 2024/03/28 AB The history of skiing dates as far back as 4000 BC.1 While these early skiers primarily used this mode of locomotion for warfare or hunting, it can be safely assumed that recreational aspects of skiing took place and that noncombat-related ski injuries most likely occurred in this population. The Norwegian Army held the first recorded organized skiing competition in 1767, and thereafter, the sport quickly grew in popularity in the European countries.1 Skiing remained relatively unknown in North America until the 1932 Lake Placid Olympics. Advances in skiing techniques, skiing instruction, ski equipment design, automated lifts, easier ski destination access, international competitive events, and media exposure have increased the popularity of downhill skiing. Recreational participation has grown to approximately four million in the United States alone.2 However, with these advances, new patterns of athletic injuries also have emerged.2-15 Injury tracking and clinical database research have been instrumental in leading to the development of better equipment designs and have had a dramatic influence on the etiology and treatment of injuries incurred during alpine skiing. This chapter addresses the evolution of these advances, outlines the current trends in injuries and injury rates associated with alpine skiing, and discusses current biomechanical research and scientific developments governing the application of preventative injury training and postinjury rehabilitation in today’s ski industry. As the reader will note, skiing injuries can encompass nearly every joint in the body. Thus, sections pertaining to mechanisms of injury, injury prevention, and rehabilitation will be associated with the most commonly injured joints among all skiers—the knee, shoulder, and hand.