Load Analysis of Kitesurfing Jumps: Is Kite Position Rather Than Jump Height More Crucial for Landing Impact Protection?

ABSTRACT:

Background

In kitesurfing, acute and overuse injuries are caused by high-impact loads, acceleration loads, and tensile loads, primarily affecting the lower extremities.

Purpose

To determine the specific differences in jump and landing loads on the lower extremities within the 2 kitesurfing subdisciplines "Big Air" and "Freestyle."

Study design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods

Six Big Air kitesurfers (mean ± SD age, 24 ± 1.7 years) and 6 Freestyle kitesurfers (24.5 ± 3.6 years) were recruited. Jump height, airtime, landing acceleration, and maximal vertical ground-reaction force on both feet soles during take-off and landing were determined using sensor insoles (Moticon ReGo AG) and an altitude and acceleration sensor (WOO Sports). The performed jumps were

SUBMITTER: Simons S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12580543 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature