Conditioning for skiing and ski injury prevention

As the popularity of skiing has risen in the United States over the last two decades so has the incidence of skiing injuries. The possibility exists that a proper conditioning program may decrease the frequency and severity of musculoskeletal injuries that occur during skiing. To ascertain the most appropriate components of a ski conditioning program, a review of the literature regarding downhill and crosscountry skiing is presented. Specifically, the literature was evaluated to determine the most recent research findings in the areas of physiological demands in downhill and cross-country skiing, the frequency and types of injuries that occur during each type of skiing, and the most common mechanisms of injury for the major types of ski injuries. This information was used to devise a muscular strengthening and musculoskeletal stretching program that may be useful in conditioning for skiing and for prevention of ski injuries. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1987;8(9):428-437.