Are you looking to return to the slopes after a common ski knee injury or other type of injury? If so, take the time to prepare your body with ski training exercises and tips:

• Work on building a strong core to maintain good balance on the slope.
• Work on strengthening your hip flexors and thigh muscles to maintain an active stance throughout your turns.
• Incorporate eccentric and explosive exercises into your workout. Eccentric muscle action is a lengthening of the muscle while contracting. Explosive muscle action is an extension into a contraction in a rapid or explosive manner, such as in specialized, repeated jumping.
• Build up your endurance – don’t try to ski first to last chair on your first day back. Take it slow and ease back into your runs.
• You can also sign up for a ski conditioning class at your local gym.

Skiing is a way of life in Colorado. Unfortunately, injuries come with the territory. Dr. McCarty is passionate about helping people get back on the slopes and stay safe and healthy once they get there. He’d prefer to see you out on the chairlift rather than in his office with a ski injury. As the old saying goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.” Keep these tips in mind as you return to the sport and get back to doing the things you love.