Tyrolia Previews Protector Binding - Potential Game Changer For ACL Injuries
The brand new Protector ski bindings from Tyrolia for winter 2022/2023 is designed to reduce or alleviate serious, frequent and above all serious injuries in the knee and cruciate ligament area caused by backwards twisting falls. This is made possible with the Full Heel Release (FHR) technology developed by Tyrolia, a combination of horizontal and vertical release of the heel piece.
They say "“The Protector is the safest binding that we at Tyrolia have ever built. Never before has there been so much basic scientific research, medical and sports-scientific support for a long-term development project. And above all such detailed and result-oriented tests by internationally recognized scientific institutions, as with the Protector. Our thanks therefore also go to the University of Innsbruck/Tyrol, which has given us enormous commitment and sustained support in presenting the problem and examining the individual development steps”
During release the boot rotates on the tibial axis [on or with the base plate] and that when it reaches a point where a cam is tripped and the diagonal mechanism activates so that the pivot point then shifts forwards to the toe.
The new Protector binding now reduces the strain on the knee and the ligaments, scientifically documented and confirmed, by more than 50 percent.
Medical and sports science studies show that knee injuries and especially cruciate ligament injuries account for a third of all injuries while skiing. In 70% of cases, the cause of accidents is the backward rotating fall, which can often cause severe knee injuries in the ligament area.
The characteristics of the backward twisting fall in alpine skiing are:
- body's center of gravity far back,
- load at the end of the ski,
- ligaments in the knee pretensioned,
- inner edge grips and initiates an inner rotation of the shin bone in relation to the thigh.
All accident triggers, which since the introduction of the carving technique have increasingly dominated falls on the slopes and often end up in the hospital and with complicated surgical interventions.
Full Heel Release (FHR) technology
While conventional bindings from all major suppliers have been designed since the 1980s in such a way that they focus on the risk of injuries to the lower leg in terms of technology and functionality, the Protector ski binding avoids, minimizes and protects the skier's sensitive knee in particular by providing full Heel Release (FHR) can keep the release values more constant and low in a backward rotating fall.
Protector compensates for small, short-term forces acting on the binding by moving the binding heel horizontally on both sides by up to 7 mm. If the load is too high in a risky situation, the heel moves the full 7mm and the sole holder pivots 30 degrees to release the ski boot.
Compared to conventional bindings, the Protector thus avoids the additional force that causes serious injuries in the area of the knee joint and ligaments by more than half and sets a new standard in terms of safety.
The ASTM2 1.10 test in combination with the step test is used as the basis for testing the effectiveness of the FHR technology compared to a conventional binding. With this test procedure, a backwards rotating fall can be simulated and the acting forces can be measured.
This is also confirmed by the University of Innsbruck, with whom Tyrolia worked closely on the Protector development. The intelligent 180° release, i.e. the vertical and additional horizontal release on the heel, ensures maximum safety in forward and especially backward twisting falls. The FHR function can reduce stress on the cruciate ligament by more than 50 percent.
“The Protector is the safest binding that we at Tyrolia have ever built. Never before has there been so much basic scientific research, medical and sports-scientific support for a long-term development project. And above all such detailed and result-oriented tests by internationally recognized scientific institutions, as with the Protector. Our thanks therefore also go to the University of Innsbruck/Tyrol, which has given us enormous commitment and sustained support in presenting the problem and examining the individual development steps” – Robert Stanzl, Director Marketing & Sales at Tyrolia
One solution for everyone
Of course, the Protector series offers all known and proven Tyrolia safety features and a performance that corresponds to any other conventional Tyrolia binding. In addition, the Full Heel Release (FHR) technology offers an unprecedented level of safety and less stress and strain on the knee most affected by ski injuries.
These new bindings from Tyrolia are suitable for all skiers - from beginners to advanced skiers, freeskiers and piste skiers, men, women, young and old - who expect this level of security.
The binding is based on the PowerRail system and can therefore be mounted on all skis with a pre-assembled PowerRail base. For all flat skis, Tyrolia offers the Protector Set versions and the Protector Attack model, which are equally suitable for retail and rental. In terms of ski boot compatibility, the Protector models cover the Alpine and GripWalk boot standard.
The Protector Attack model is compatible with Alpine, GripWalk and Touring ski boots thanks to the MN standard. This model combines the best of two worlds - optimal strength and stability of the attack toe combined with full heel release technology for maximum safety when skiing - making it the ideal binding for all freeski and all-mountain athletes.
