Off skiing this winter? A little bit of pre-trip preparation could help reduce your risk of getting injured, allow you to improve your technique – helping you ski for longer!
Whether you are a seasoned skier or heading to the slopes for the first time this winter, the unique motions and demands of skiing means the chances are you are about to use a set of muscles which could be serving you better.
There are several areas in which to focus on to help support your “skiing experience”.
Gluteal muscles
These powerful muscles surrounding your hips are vital for skiing. Reducing pressure on your back and creating stability around your pelvis, strong gluteals work to reduce the risk of damage to you knees once allowing you to turn effectively on the snow.
Core muscles
Your core is vital in the provision of a strong base for skiing. Maintaining a solid base around your pelvis and spine not only helps to reduce the risk of falls, but also reduces the need for your arms failing around as you try to maintain your centre of gravity.
Hamstrings and Quadriceps
Whilst your hips help you to turn and ride undulations, your knees act as your primary shock absorbers on the slopes, allowing your legs to work as individual springs. Your hamstrings and quadriceps (muscles on the back and front of front your thighs) play a very important role in this, bringing stability and support to your knees, whilst reducing the load and force effecting the ligaments of the knee such as your ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)
Feet and Ankles
Whilst your ski boots provide support to your feet and ankles, the intrinsic muscles are working hard inside to maintain balance as you shift your weight, creating pressure through the ski as you turn.
Physiotherapy appointment
Here at Comfort Health we can get you ski fit for the winter, allowing you to get the most out of your holiday. Our Physios can assess you as a whole, identifying potential problem areas which are specific to you. These could be a weakness or tightness in certain muscles, a stiffness or lack of mobility around certain joints, or a reduced ability to perform functional or ski specific movements.
Once your specific problems areas have been highlighted, your Physiotherapist will use a range of treatment techniques alongside a well structured exercise plan to help you improve these areas and get you ski fit for your holiday.
Book in online using this link…