Conditioning For Winter Sports Can Mean Life Or Death
By Tom Herrin
People who have grown up in areas where winter sports are possible are probably well aware of the enjoyment they provide. Whether it is skiing, snowboarding, or even hunting, there is feeling of excitement with the onset of winter that people in other parts of the country just don’t know. And with such a mobile population today, there are many people who may be experiencing their first taste of these sports. It is critical that anyone participating in outdoor winter sports be physically prepared.
Cardio Is Always Important
We all know about the necessity of working out when we are active in warm areas. Some kind of training is always used to prepare. Often when people are beginners in cold weather activities, they fail to remember the strain placed on their cardiovascular system. We had a longtime friend who went with her family on her first skiing vacation. She suffered a heart attack and died when she got to the slopes. Sadly, she was totally unprepared. Cardiovascular conditioning is seriously important. As with any other training, you should start slowly weeks ahead of time. You should do exercises that will increase your heart rate. A good walking routine would be a place to start. That could be followed by increased duration in some kind of aerobic activity. Keep in mind you will be dealing with higher altitudes and freezing temps. Your heart and lungs will be working much harder than they are used to.
Strength Training Is Needed As Well
Going hand-in-hand with cardio is strength training. You have to build up strength in both upper and lower body, so you have to incorporate both kinds of exercises. If you are skiing, you will need leg strength to stand on and use your skis. You will also need strength in your arms and upper body to be able to properly use ski poles.
Drink Water
As with any activity, you need to stay hydrated. We often fail to recognize how much fluid we are losing in the cold. You have to keep water and drink it on a schedule. Remember, alcohol will cause you to be dehydrated even more.
Last But Not Least
Proper clothing is always important. You need to avoid frostbite and overexposure to cold. And might I remind you that just because they say otherwise or can’t say, your children need proper clothing, too. Layers are always part of a good plan. Proper protection for your head is a must. Those of us who live in warm climates sometimes fail to realize how much warmth can be lost through our head. Be a good scout in cold weather. If you want to enjoy it, be prepared.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.