Getting Fit to
Ski
Want to get the most out of your skiing?
For over ten
years now the Australian Physiotherapy Association has offered an
excellent all-round fitness program for both skiers and snowboarders
at all levels. The "Get Fit To Ski" program is conducted and
supervised by qualified physiotherapists with a passion for skiing.
The program was developed to help prevent injuries and
ensure maximum fitness prior to the start of the ski season. The
program is tailored to the participant's skiing level and helps
develop the specific skills required for skiing.
The program
runs annually just prior to the ski season. Classes are conducted
twice a week at various venues around Australia.
Benefits of the Program
The classes consist of
an aerobic component followed by a circuit of ski-specific
exercises. The aerobics session lasts for 10-15 minutes beginning
with a warm-up and stretches, and is followed by a series of
exercises to improve cardiovascular fitness and strength.
The circuit can have up to 25 specific exercises using a
variety of equipment. The exercises work on specific ski fitness -
strength, balance and cardiovascular fitness - and are designed to
strengthen muscles important to skiing, particularly quadriceps,
calves and triceps. Other exercises aim to improve skiing techniques
and coordination by simulating the action of downhill and cross
country skiing and snowboarding. The exercises are progressed over
the course of the program in both endurance and degree of
difficulty. The classes finish with a cool-down session of about 15
minutes.
Participants are encouraged to complement the
classes with some other form of exercise once or twice a week to
effectively build up aerobic fitness.
Education is also an
important part of the program and physiotherapy instructors conduct
talks on stretching for skiing, nutrition, ski and boot fitting, and
ski waxing.
Who to Contact
Get Fit To Ski classes
are run through the APA or individual physiotherapy practices.
Would you like
the names of physiotherapists who have a special interest in Get Fit
to Ski? This falls under the categories of Sports and
Musculoskeletal. Call us on (03) 9527 7532 or contact us here. |