The most common snowboarding injuries and how to avoid them

Although skiing and snowboarders have a lot in common, there are a few differences between the two sports, particularly when it comes to injuries. When skiing, the skier keeps his back to the ground and shifts from side to side, according to Snowboarding Expert Billy Crafton. The torso and shoulders get wrenched forward, and the body is facing sideways. To snowboard down the mountain, the body requires a variety of muscles just from the fundamental stance. Add in speed, jumps, and other tricks, and you’ve got a workout that needs a lot of strength, endurance, and power from the core and legs.

• INJURIES TO THE KNEE/ACL

Lower extremity injuries, such as knee injuries, have become less common among snowboarders as the design of snowboard boots and bindings has improved. A supportive knee brace, on the other hand, is a must-have gear if an ACL injury occurs. To avoid this, snowboarders should warm up their bodies with knee exercises before hitting the slopes to prepare for rapid reactions and off-balance motions. When snowboarding, as with any sport, it’s critical to warm up and cool down properly. Good knee pads can get worn to help prevent knee injuries. In addition, properly fitting snowboarding equipment for the size and weight can significantly reduce the risk of injury.

• SPRAINS ON THE ANKLE

Ankle sprains can get caused by factors from improper footwear and bindings to ligament overuse and a fall. An ankle injury can occur when the cluster of tiny bones in the foot and the ankle joint get subjected to excessive pressure and inversion of a faulty landing after a jump. To avoid ankle injuries, ensure that the ankle does not move inside the boot, which should be snug. Soft boots promote maneuverability while also increasing the danger of injury. Racers typically wear boots because they provide better ankle support. Hybrid boots are becoming increasingly popular due to reducing injury risks while still allowing for some flexibility.

It’s critical to minimize swelling and compress an ankle injury as soon as possible after it occurs. Once the swelling has gone down, donning an ankle brace and completing ankle exercises will help speed up the healing process.

• DISLOCATIONS/FRACTURES/SEPARATION OF THE SHOULDERS

Shoulder dislocations, fractures, and separations are frequent when landing incorrectly. Learning how to fall correctly can help you avoid shoulder injuries like dislocation or fracture. If you need to tumble, try practicing sport-specific movement that simulates falling so you can prepare your body and react swiftly. Athlete Billy Crafton also thinks the same regarding this.

• INJURIES TO THE SPINAL BODY

The number of people trying leaps has increased in recent years, which has increased spinal injuries. The most common cause of spinal injury in snowboarders is jumping, followed by a fall, and finally, overuse. Before attempting the stunts on the slopes, experts recommend that individuals who jump acquire a good technique and practice leaps off the mountain.