Best Ways to get Ski Fit

We have ordered the Skieers Edge Classic model and have paid £900 for it....my husband ordered it so don`t know much else...! I think they go for netween £800 and £2,500 depending on the model.

ise wrote:
The sort of posture I mentioned, very real and very common, is just weighting a little too far back, sometimes associated with incorrect binding positions, of which the two symptoms are, first, pain in the thighs caused by the muscle groups there having to work to support the skeleton in an abnormally loaded position and, second, poor edge control.
Loading forward into the boots will tend to force the weight forward but it's not guaranteed in all cases, in fact, it's precisely that forward lean, either by effort or boot adjustment, coupled with poor poor posture that will cause that overload in the thigh area for some people.

IMV, the position of the pelvis is important. It does not matter how far forward I "load the shins", unless my skeleton is stacked over my bindings, I will be in the back seat, and suffer the consequences.
BTW I considered myself pretty ski fit this winter, but still suffered quads fatigue the 1st couple of days, simply because the sheer hour on hour repetition of specific quads work, is hard to duplicate off the snow.

actually, I'm just reminded of the other reason for the cumulative discomfort in the quads which is lack of post exercise stretching. Nothing more strenuous than a stroll round the village is really needed.

I remain suspicious of attempts to cover lack of technique with kit or brute strength personally, it might work for a few days but it just doesn't work for a whole season.

Stretching, good call, Also a good Sauna after a good har day's skiing I think. But that is after.

Although it is also a good Idea to stretch and get supple before going skiing, you are much less likely to injure yourself if you are supple

Max Cottle wrote:
Although it is also a good Idea to stretch and get supple before going skiing, you are much less likely to injure yourself if you are supple

That's open to debate, there's debate about that point at best and at worst no proven link at all between warm-up stretching and reduced risk of injury. Some research strongly suggest increased risk of injury to tendons and ligaments. The precise state of the research fluctuates a little as new studies are completed but the current thinking is that light cardio-vascular warm-up is good but that stretching is a bad idea, this is something most ski instructors would be building into lesson plans nowadays.

In fact, studies have tended to fairly categorically disprove the supposed virtuous link of pre exercise stretching and reduced injury and generally go further and establish increased risks at a relatively low level, say around 1 additional injury per 1000 if I recall correctly.

Interestingly studies also looked at performance and established that measured force output was decreased following stretching, from memory around 10% reduction in force output in the quadriceps for an hour after stretching. Corresponding reductions in stamina were measured.

It's also worth mentioning that in all cases static stretching provides the very worst results, increased injury risk and reduced performance.

Most visiting skiers I see, and some at high standards on coaching and instructor courses, would actually benefit from increased stamina and an associated ability to exercise at altitude. I.E. Aeorbic and cardio-vascular fitness, not force strength with isn't really quite so necessary.

Post exercise routines will clear lactic acid from muscles, it's that cumulative effect (along with leaning back) that's actually at the heart of most problems people have with aching thighs.

I think the the stretching befor exercise debate has been latched onto by people trying to justify thier not stretching. Sports which require extreme ranges of motion are not something I would do without (warm up and) stretching.

The more important realisation about stretching is that it should be targeted for various sports. Increasing range of motion through stretching is generally desirable, however increasing a specific range of motion of some joints can leave you more prone to injury and dislocations.


Trencher

Trencher wrote:I think the the stretching befor exercise debate has been latched onto by people trying to justify thier not stretching. Sports which require extreme ranges of motion are not something I would do without (warm up and) stretching.

The more important realisation about stretching is that it should be targeted for various sports. Increasing range of motion through stretching is generally desirable, however increasing a specific range of motion of some joints can leave you more prone to injury and dislocations.


Trencher

I don't really think so, to my knowledge there's been not a single study or piece of research that disputes the negative outcomes of stretching since the first studies found those negative outcomes which was around 7 or 8 years ago if I recall.

The initial studies were rightly questioned as all new research ought to be and some particular reservations about the subjects (US and Australian Army personnel) were expressed.

The bottom line is that this is something that can be tested and has been tested and the results verified in several subsequent studies. The results are quite clear, stretching does not decrease injury risk and does reduce performance.

I was speaking with my tounge in my cheek, though I stand by the extreme range of movement comment. I can not attain my max range of motion without stretching first. Now that may decrease the performance of my muscles, but if my limbs are not reaching the optimum position because I haven't stretched first, the gain of not stretching would be negated.

BobD