Ice skating is regarded as one of the most popular wintertime sports. Whether you’re new to the sport or have been on the rink before, getting to glide with speed and grace for hours on end is one of the biggest appeals to ice skating fanatics. However, like with any sport, there is the risk of getting injured as you skate.
From minor cuts and bruises to stress fractures and muscle strains, no one wants to sustain such injuries when on the ice. Therefore, here are some useful tips that can help any ice skater enjoy the experience with a lower risk of injury.
Wear Protective Gear
Before you get on the ice, you must be wearing the right protective gear. This includes kneepads, gloves, and helmets. All three must be worn as they’ll protect you when falling on the ice. If you’re a first timer at the rink, it’s advised to wear full-coverage clothing like leggings.
Bend Your Knees
As you glide along the rink, you need to remember to bend your knees. One of the key points of ice skating is maintaining your balance, and to gain better control of your movement, bending your knees is essential. As you bend your knees and get lower on the ice, this will reduce your risk of falling.
Choose the Right Location
If you’re planning to go outdoor ice skating, you must find a rink with good maintenance and security measures. During the winter months, there will be all kinds of locations you can skate at, so you need to choose safe spots, which will enable you to glide to your heart's content without the risk of getting seriously injured.
Look Straight Ahead
When you’re ice skating, you must always look straight ahead of you. If you’re new to the sport, your eyes may wander to your feet. While this is natural, you do run the risk of losing your balance. This is because you won’t have the right posture. To avoid falling and getting injured, always keep your eyes fixated on what’s happening in front of you.
Lace Up Your Skates
To prevent an ankle injury, ensure you lace up your skates correctly. This means you need to tighten them like you would with a shoe. If you’re not sure whether they’re tight enough, you should have no trouble fitting two fingers between your ankle and the tongue of your boot, no more.
Know How to Fall
When it comes to falling on an ice rink, there is a right and wrong way to do so. Should you fall the wrong way, you’ll be putting yourself in danger. If you feel you’re about to fall, it’s best to direct yourself towards falling on the side of your behind and keeping your arms in close to your body.
Never Put Your Arms Out
If you fall when ice skating, it’s natural for you to put your arms out to catch your fall. However, you can sustain serious injuries to your arms, shoulders, and wrists by doing this. If you must put your arms out, it’s best to do so with bent elbows.
However long you’ve been ice skating for, you’re bound to have a fall from time to time. To prevent getting seriously injured, consider taking these tips onboard. This will also help you stay on your feet during your time on the rink.
