For many people here in Maryland, winter sports are the highlight of their year. Whether you love skiing, ice skating, sledding, or snowboarding, wintertime fun is here!
If you enjoy participating in winter sports, you’ve probably already prepared every piece of equipment you will need this season. But while you might have sharpened your skates or waxed your skis, there’s one crucial thing you can’t forget — your body.
Let’s talk about how you can better prepare yourself for your sport of choice and have a great time, while staying healthy and injury-free this winter:
Engage in Stability Training
Stability training is an essential part of conditioning yourself for winter sports, because snow and ice are naturally slippery. Stability-enhancing exercises are designed to strengthen the core muscles and improve overall balance. Talk to your orthopedist or your physical therapist about the best stability exercises to do in order to get your body ready for performing your favorite winter sports.
Work Your Hamstrings and Glutes
Winter sports require hard work, as they require that your body stay in a flexed position for a period of time. Sometimes there’s no possibility of a break as needed, such as in downhill skiing on steep slopes, so your legs and surrounding muscles must be strong and able to hold you up without falling.
Whether you’re dashing through the snow’s powdery layers or pushing off your skates on the rink, all of these flexed positions are achieved through the help of the glute and hamstring muscle groups. Your physical therapist can teach you strengthening exercises that will build up the muscles in your lower body.
Improve Your Stamina
Winter sports aren’t like playing baseball or football, where you will be able to sit down and take breaks as part of the game. Other than perhaps the short ride of the ski lift, there is really no good time to take a break while you’re performing your favorite winter sport. Your physical therapist will show you how to improve your physical endurance in order to keep going for hours of enjoyment this winter.
Sports Medicine Specialist in Central Maryland
Engaging in winter sports requires thorough preparation for those who love to play all winter long. If you get your body ready, you can avoid getting injured this winter – and focus on having some well-deserved fun.
Our sports medicine specialists and physical therapists at the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland are here to help you get physically ready for your favorite sports. Our goal is for every patient to avoid injuries while they enjoy the activities they do. We are dedicated to providing quality and personalized healthcare for you, whether you’re a competitive athlete, a seasonal amateur, or just enjoying an active lifestyle.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our sports physicians or physical therapists, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (410) 644-1880 or (855) 4MD-BONE (463-2663), or by filling out our secure online form now. We look forward to serving you!
