Does anyone know what to do for avoiding and recovering from injuries form skateboarding?
Face it, skateboarding is a hardcore sport, and when you’ve decided to make skate boarding such a massive part of your life as so many skaters do then we should expect to feel some pain. But as with most sports, there are things you can do to help prevent any unnecessary injuries from skating. The following skate advice was provided thanks to a physical therapist.
Stretches for skaters
The usual workout for stretches is probably just fine for increasing flexibility. You should note that they must be static stretches (hold part in stretch for 20 seconds, release then move on to another part). If you’ve been injured while skating recently or it’s kinda hard to move a certain part of the body, then you can have a friend help you with some mild or passive stretching. This usually involves having this friend slowly move the limb throughout its entire range of motion, or hold it in an extended stretch.
Ballistic stretches are the kind people usually have seen in aerobics videos, where you ‘bounce’ a muscle into a stretched position. These should be avoided at all costs.
Skateboarding Exercises
While skateboarding is very much its own exercise, the idea of doing other things too help can assist in making you healthier and stronger in the end. If you have already had an injury and riding a skateboard is too tough right now, keeping active with some other sport can also help a skater. Here are some ideas for you:
* Bike riding is a good exercise for skaters because of its cardiovascular and leg workout. However, it isn’t very good for the abdominals because you just sit there and so crunches or other abdominal exercises will need to be addedn to your skaters workout. Depending on the terrain you bike on, there may be some slight impact, but this is usually a zero-impact sport. Particularly if you decide to go for a stationary bike.
* Swimming is good a skaters cardio and respiratory system. There is absolutely no form of detrimental impact, and it has the bonus of slightly stretching the body out as well. It is recommended for people who are trying to recover from a rough injury but who want to stay healthy, strong and active.
* Walking is also a low impact exercise that really does help a skater, and it’s better than just sitting on your couch, watching Xgames or YouTube!
* Most gym style exercise programs, like free weights, will add good strength training to a pro skaters regimen, as well as variety, to the skateboarding workout. Any muscle you gain in your legs and abs will make you a better skateboarder. Plus, strengthening the muscles around the knees will help prevent knee injuries when you skate hard.
* Yoga and some dance workouts may also be helpful as these usually focus on maintaining flexibility and endurance for your regular skate activity.
Dealing with a skate injury
A skateboarder with an injured knee or torn ligaments should stay away from jumping ramps, deep knee bends while in an Olley, baggy boy squats, running and jogging in place. These are high-impact exercises with no reason to do them. They put too much strain on the legs and will make things worse for any real skater. If you have a knee injury on your board, and it doesn’t heal quickly enough, I strongly urge you to get it checked out by your skate pals and not some doctor. Nothing will keep you off of your skateboard, and slow down your life, quite like a doctor.
Braces, ball cups and athletic tape may be helpful in reducing pain to the groin during the recovery period. They can also provide additional support and discourage improper shifting that could worsen the injury. Use as preferred/necessary. Knee pads can provide even the mos rad skater that ever lived some support when shredding, along with helping to protect the knee from impact they make nice accessories for night time activities with females.
During the first 3 days of any skate or sport injury, it is important to use as much ice or even cold compress as you can to keep things chill. This will keep the swelling down on the knee and your pride. As long as there is swelling of the joint, healing is impaired or does not even occur until the swelling subsides. After that the sub-acute stages kick in and you will want a warm compress to encourage tissue regrowth.
Of course, things will vary from skater to sk8r, and whenever you find yourself in doubt, you must always consult first with a qualified health-care provider or your local skate professional.
Written by Skate Punk -
Skate Shop
