Get fit now for skiing
JON Baldwin, one of the physio team at Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals, explains the benefits of preparation to optimise enjoyment and reduce injury risk during your ski trip.
Physiotherapists at Nuffield Health are able to conduct an individualised pre-ski season assessment and prepare a plan for you to ensure you get the most from your time on the slopes.
Senior physiotherapist Jon said: “As injuries to the knee are common in skiing, pre-ski preparation is important to minimise injury risk and also ensure a safe return to skiing for those people who have previously had knee injury or surgery.
When skiing, the knee is exposed to significant loads due to change in speed and direction, as well as through falls. Knee injuries are fairly common, ranging from minor muscle strains to serious ligament or bone damage.
Programmes that improve strength, flexibility and stamina have been shown to reduce the risk of ski injuries.
Training should aim to include 150 minutes of cardio a week and at least twice-weekly sessions of resistance training, specifically focusing on lower limb strength. An eight to 12-week programme, undertaken before taking to the slopes, will help ensure a safer, more enjoyable trip.
Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals physiotherapy department offers bespoke pre-ski assessment for individuals who are looking for tailored exercise prescription advice, dependent on their individual needs.
This involves a one-hour session with one of our physiotherapists who will discuss the goals of pre-ski rehabilitation in more detail. Your individual needs and any preexisting musculoskeletal problems will be addressed.
Both upper and lower limb are objectively assessed and proprioception (balance and positional sense), flexibility and core stability are covered.
After the assessment, the physio will provide a specific individual programme and offer advice and whether any other specialities are required for example bracing to prevent any reoccurrence of a problem or if extra support is required.
To make a booking, please ring 01443 449269 and say that you wish to have a pre-ski assessment with one of the physiotherapy team.