The majority of snow sports injuries occur at the knee, including ACL injuries which can require long term rehabilitation and even surgery to repair. So getting ready for the slopes is just as important as packing your goggles and helmet!
Getting Ready for the Slopes – The following exercises focus on building lower limb strength, stability and dynamic balance to support the lower limb joints through the challenges of down hill skiing and snowboarding. Our physios will happily work with you to ensure you understand each exercise and the correct technique to help keep you on the slopes.
Pulse Squats:
Position: Standing with your feet apart
Squat down, pulse 3x and return to standing position
Jump Lunges:
Position: Standing with one foot in front of the other
Lunge forward, come back up into standing and jump to switch positions of your feet
Single Leg Calf Raises:
Position: Standing on one foot
Push up onto the ball of your foot and slowly return your heel to the floor
For any support or advice, please contact our physios for specialists for assistance. For further information please refer to the following articles:
Source: Sports Medicine Australia
Title: Downhill Skiing Fact Sheet
Read Time: 5 Minutes
Source: Sage Journals
Title: Injury Patterns at a Large Western United States Ski Resort With and Without Snowboarders
Read Time: 5 Minutes