How To Prepare And Condition Your Body For Skiing This Winter

❄ Winter can be a splendid and enjoyable time of year, especially if you love winter sports like skiing.  ⛷ But did you know that skiing can pose some risks to your muscles and joints if you are not adequately prepared⁉

Commonly, muscles that work to internally rotate the hips are activated and engaged during skiing – key for maintaining balance and coordination. 🏂 A great way to condition the body and build muscle memory for skiing is to practice your technique with the use of balance boards, in-line skates, or sports that require quick movements and changes of direction. 🛹

Another important aspect to skiing is the need for endurance and stamina. Interval training is a great tool to build endurance, where you maximize your input for short bouts of time. ⏱ The gains made through interval training can translate into meaningful improvements to your overall endurance; however, as with all activities, progression is key! 👍

Maintaining good muscle and joint range of motion is important, and building mobility is key to preventing injuries. Our Chiropractors can help you improve your joint and muscle function, as well as provide some guidance on how to best increase your mobility safely based on your individual goals and needs. The earlier you start, the better prepared you will be. ✅

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How To Prepare For A Ski Trip

Canadian Chiropractic Association

 

Skiing is a beloved activity for many Canadians. It’s a chance for us to enjoy the outdoors and have a little fun. Families often go for a variety of hills and terrains that cater to different skill levels and age.

 

If you are skier or have gone skiing before, you know the sport can take a toll on your body, leaving you sore after a day on the slopes. Unfortunately for some, skiing may lead to injury. This is why it is imperative to prepare your body before gearing up. Here are some tips to help ensure your safety when skiing.

 

Get the Proper Equipment

Do you have all the equipment needed to safely ski? If not, make the time to assess what you need, and take measures to buy or borrow the proper equipment for your next trip down the slopes. If you are a beginner, find a professional to help you determine exactly what you need and ensure that your equipment fits your needs and your body type.

 

Skiing does involve some serious risks of injury including falls, collisions or simply poor form; therefore, it is critical for your equipment to be in good condition to prevent avoidable injuries. For example, broken skis can put your safety and the safety of others at risk. Be extra cautious and inspect your equipment thoroughly and have it repaired by a professional as soon as you notice any problems.

 

Protective devices can help prevent the risk of serious injury. Notably, helmets help prevent the risk of a skull fracture from a fall or collision. Other protective measures such as braces can help those with existing issues or injuries. For example, knee braces can reduce the risk of knee injury by up to 90%¹. Other protective gear to consider includes wrist guards and spine protectors². When your equipment fits properly, it allows you to perform at your best.

 

Take a Lesson

Even the most avid skiers will sometimes take lessons to perfect their technique, form and acquire new skills. As with any activity, we can become accustomed to skiing the same slopes and forget to pay attention to our technique or form. Receiving expert advice from an observer can help tweak or correct bad habits acquired over time. Moreover, lessons can also cover other elements of skiing beyond physical form such as hill rules and regulations, conduct, identifying dangerous slopes, and how to avoid collisions to keep you and others safe.

 

Do Some Extra Training

Skiing requires agility, endurance, mobility and balance. Overall, skiing can put extra stress on your joints and spine, which is why it is important to ensure that you prepare your body in advance. You may want to consider building cardiovascular and muscular endurance, as well as strength, balance and mobility.  If you’re unsure of how to train for a ski trip, talk to a personal trainer who can prepare a workout for you. Don’t forget to warm-up and stretch too!

 

Ski trips are fun and exciting, but it’s important to take the time to prepare for them. All those hours of skiing and rigorous activity can put a lot of stress on your body, so make sure you feel prepared and properly conditioned. To learn more on how to prepare for skiing or any sport, read our Fit Tips and consider visiting a local chiropractor.

 

1. Hébert-Losier K, Holmberg HC. What are the exercise-based injury prevention recommendations for recreational alpine skiing and snowboarding? A systematic review. Sports Med. 2013 May;43(5):355-66 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23463392
2. Russell, K et al. The effect of wrist guards on wrist and arm injuries amongst snowboarders: A systematic review. Clin J Sports Med. 2007; 17:145-150

Preparation And Conditioning For Skiing And Hockey

Canadian Chiropractic Association

 

Winter can be a splendid and enjoyable time of year, especially if you love winter sports like
downhill skiing and hockey. These Canadian favourites are enjoyed by many during the winter months, but do pose some risks to your muscles and joints if you are not adequately prepared.

 

Commonly, muscles that work to internally rotate the hips are activated and engaged during skiing – key for maintaining balance and coordination¹. A great way to condition the body and build muscle memory for skiing is to practice your technique with the use of balance boards, in-line skates, or sports that require quick movements and changes of direction. Another important aspect to skiing is the need for endurance and stamina. Interval training is a great tool to build endurance, where you maximize your input for short bouts of time. The gains made through interval training can translate into meaningful improvements to your overall endurance²; however, as with all activities, progression is key.

 

Another great winter activity is our beloved hockey. Hockey involves a combination of endurance and explosive activity, which requires the body to be conditioned aerobically and for muscular strength³. For example, skating for long durations can serve as great aerobic practice; whereas exercises such as short sprints, box jumps and TABATAs will help build anaerobic capacity, as well as your ability to do the aggressive bursts required for the sport.

 

If you are an avid skier or hockey player, now is the time to start preparing your body for the season. Here are some general tips to help prevent injury:

 

Maximize Joint and Muscle Function

With sports like skiing and hockey, maintaining good muscle and joint range of motion is important. Building mobility is key to preventing injuries. Your chiropractor can help you improve your joint and muscle function, as well as provide some guidance on how to best increase your mobility safely based on your individual goals and needs. The earlier you start, the better prepared you will be.

 

Warm-Up and Stretch

Prior to hitting the ice or the hills, it is always advisable to warm-up. Start with gentle activities such as walking or skating to increase the blood flow to your muscles. You may also want to do gentle stretches before you play to help prevent injuries. Better yet, consider working on your overall mobility before the season begins to enhance your athleticism and improve your performance. You can use the Straighten Up Canada app to help you move during the day, or you can try our hockey stretches, which you can also apply to skiing as well.

 

Check Your Equipment

You should always ensure that your equipment fits and is in good working condition before you begin the season. Your equipment supports and protects your body from injury while you enjoy your favorite activities. If you need to buy new equipment for the season, ask a professional to help you find the best equipment for your needs.

 

Brush Up on Your Technique – Take a Lesson if Necessary

Bad habits or poor technique in any sport can increase the risk of injury. Agility and technique can greatly enhance your performance in winter sports like hockey and skiing, so it’s extra important to spend time learning new skills. Even avid skiers and hockey players take the time to practice skills and drills before they start playing and competing. Consider lessons with a professional to refine, practice or even learn new technique before you begin the season.

 

Your healthcare team including your chiropractor, can also help you prepare for your winter sports. Meet with them to discuss the sports you’ll be participating in this winter to make sure your body is ready and for strategies to decrease the risk of injury.

1. The Ultimate-Ski.com, Get ready for Skiing,

2.  Troy Flanagan, Base training and injury prevention for Skiing, https://ussa.org/sites/default/files/documents/athletics/alpine/2011-12/documents/BaseTraining.pdf.

3. Sports Fitness Advisor, http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/ice-hockey-training.html