Skiing and balance…

While we’re on the subject of balance, it’s hard to ignore its impact on skiing, or vice-versa, the practice of skiing’s impact on balance can be quite positive. After writing yesterday’s blog, I ran into a Polish study from 2014, titled “Changes in the Balance Performance of Polish Recreational Skiers after Seven Days of Alpine Skiing” that seemed to suggest just that. 

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the changes in balance performance of recreational skiers after a seven-day ski camp. A total of 78 students - 24 women and 54 men - participated in the study. Of them, 43 were beginners and 35 intermediate skiers. 

All students were tested with the MFT S3-Check, the day before and the day after the ski camp. This particular test system illustrated here, consists of an unstable uni-axial platform, with an integrated sensor linked to software. 

After skiing all participants of both sexes showed significantly better sensory and stability indices. Other studies that I came across seem to confirm this, regardless of sex or ski experience, substantial improvements have been found in balance performance of physically active people after seven days of supervised alpine skiing with professional skiers. 

Since falls account for the most frequent causes of injuries of skiers and snowboarders, that risk is reduced as a skier’s balance improves. So, we’ve got good news, skiing as an outdoor activity offers the opportunity to improve balance performance with a positive impact on everyday life activities. 

This comes in addition to brushing our teeth while standing on just one leg as was suggested yesterday. So, no matter how old you feel, if your joints are still okay, don’t give up skiing quite yet and make sure to take full advantage of the upcoming winter to ski or snowboard your heart’s content. 

Your own balance will thank you for it!