Stowe Toll Road
Jym Ganahl of channel 4 said Columbus has over 23” of snow in February thus far, the third most in recorded history! That’s good news for skiers.
It continues to surprise me the number of seniors that I meet and talk with at the slopes and it is always interesting to hear what they are doing to stay active. One individual Dave, snow skies several times every week in the winter, and will kayak and bike in the summer. A doctor I skied with has been on the slopes 29 times already this winter. He takes off work every Tuesday to ski and then picks it back up on the weekends, in the warmer weather he switches skiing for golf.
According to the National Sporting Goods Association, 6 million people participate in alpine skiing, 44% of downhill skiers are women.
- Downhill skiing is an excellent form of aerobic exercise, enabling skiers to raise and maintain their heart rates for at least 15 minutes.
- Skiing is also an anaerobic exercise that increases strength and ability to sustain short bursts of exertion. Skiing bumps and short-radius turns all rely on power and stamina.
- Skiing relies on coordination, balance and flexibility, benefits that allow for a more dynamic range of motion and ultimately, a better technique.
- Downhill skiing works the leg muscles, especially hamstrings and quadriceps.
- Abdominal muscles are used to control body posture during each run, ultimately making them stronger.
- The triceps are used for accurate and strong poling maneuvers, conditioning these muscles over time for greater fitness.
Calories Burned
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Activity
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Calories burned/hr
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Weight
|
|
|
|
|
|
Skiing downhill, light effort
|
295 calories/hr
|
130 lbs
|
|
|
352 calories/hr
|
155 lbs
|
|
|
431 calories/hr
|
190 lbs
|
|
Skiing downhill, moderate effort
|
354calories/hr
|
130 lbs
|
|
|
422 calories/hr
|
155 lbs
|
|
|
518 calories/hr
|
190 lbs
|
|
Skiing downhill, vigorous effort
|
472 calories/hour
|
130 lbs
|
|
|
563 calories/hour
|
155 lbs
|
|
|
690 calories/hour
|
190 lbs
|
If you are a senior that can take advantage of skiing during the weekday, you will have the slopes to yourself. So get out and live a little and remember to just keep moving.
*www.nutristrategy.com
**calculations are estimates based on consultation with American College of Sports Medicine
**calculations are estimates based on consultation with American College of Sports Medicine
Source: National Sporting Goods Association 2004 Sports Participation Study
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