[Overuse damage in modern cross-country skiing].

Abstract

The skating technique in cross-country skiing has changed the demands on the human body. The purpose of this study was to determine the stress on the locomotor system of young cross-country skiers, and whether overuse injuries result from this sport activity. 51 young cross-country skiers of the Swiss national team were interviewed and examined for problems and overuse injuries of the skeleton. The investigations were repeated yearly during a follow-up time of 3 years. Most of the painful irritations and most overuse injuries were localized in the femoropatellar joint and in the distal Achilles tendon. Orthotics were made in 36 cases (71%). Individual adaptations of training programs, as well as special physical exercises were proposed. The frequency of pain limiting the sport activity was reduced from 62.7% to 21.9% within 3 years. The amount of overuse injuries had also decreased from 66.7% to 32.0%. This may signalize the reversibility of overuse injuries following normalization of loading stress although sport activity continues. In particular, no relation was observed between the frequency of overuse injuries and the new skating technique. However, it was shown that skating and jogging may stress the same structures and thus lead to excessive pronation.