Introduction
Skateboarding is an energetic sport, which plays an essential role in fortifying particular muscles. It helps you to burn calories and improves your mental health. Nevertheless, some people affirm that skateboarding may be unsafe for your body. Is skateboarding bad for your knees?
We will provide detailed information to answer this question and the solutions to prevent injuries from skateboarding. We also offer some common damages and essential steps to practice several basic skills while skating.
In general, the consequence depends on your skateboarding methods. This sport is not frequently bad for knees, yet you may handle some issues while riding.
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How Does Skateboarding Influence Your Whole Body?
The impact of riding a skate on the body can vary based on each skating style. For some beginners, constant pushing throughout the whole learning procedure may lead to pelvis misalignment. Moreover, it is the usual case to get damaged while cruising.
Several experts also find it hard to perform some difficult tricks, such as heelflip, kick turns, or nose manual. Falling is a basic section of mastering skateboarding. Hence, it is advisable to wear correct protective gear to safeguard some vulnerable parts of your body.
Skateboarding can roughly hurt your arms and knees if you don’t prepare suitable clothes and safety gear. Many new skateboarders confront injuries within their limits. Regular slams without self-protection while skating may make you suffer from chronic pain.
Some newbies fail to learn the braking methods, which leads to imbalance and severe injuries to their bodies. So, mastering proper ways to drag the brake and push the skateboard is a must for starters.
If you are careful and practice skateboarding with the correct methods, then you can reduce the harm effectively. Generally, with proper riding at a safe speed, you will reinforce your back, hips, muscles, core equilibrium, ankles, and legs.
Skateboarding requires whole body incorporation and great balance. With frequent workouts, numerous skaters react more superior and quicker to sudden falls than average individuals. Their body is continually adapting and responding to challenges, which deciphers the straightforward exterior of skateboarding.
Is Skateboarding Bad For Your Knees?
Skateboarding can bring many benefits to your whole body, yet is it a good exercise for your knees? Let’s check out some profound information and a few risks when riding a skateboard.
On the whole, skateboarding won’t ruin your knees. On the contrary, it fortifies the muscles and ligaments through the complicated knee joint. The joint will keep strong and decrease the high risk of damage, particularly the derangement of your knees.
Skating can help you to stretch the hamstrings and strengthen the quadriceps, bringing flexible knees. However, if you jump on some height while practicing uplifted tricks, including lipslide or layback grind, it can be difficult for your knees.
Such extreme workouts and down gaps frequently can create arthritis (the sting of the joints) at a young age. Besides, if you drop on the right knee or left one while skateboarding, you can get severely hurt. Thus, it pays to purchase high-quality knee braces to avoid any damage.
A knee sprain is one of the most serious damages that you may have if you don’t prepare well. It can happen in different circumstances, such as performing the split or handling the obstacle while skating. This sprain knee is frequently more cumbersome than the twisted ankle and leads to a more lengthy recovery time.
Even worse, you will need surgery and special therapy to make your knees work well again. We recommend you practice skateboarding gradually at average speed and avoid changing the speed accidentally.
Usual Damages In Skateboarding
Like other sports, skateboarding is sometimes dangerous if you practice with incorrect methods. Hence, it can lead to some common injuries varying from light to extreme ones.
Scratches And Bruises
Shin bruises and ankle scratches are two of the most common damages during the first stage of practicing skateboarding. You can notice them with hurtful blue or purple spots or wide cuts with blood. To cure them, you can apply ice and bactericidal medicine.
Heel Scrapes
Heel scrapes are small injuries that can happen by catching on the heel when you lose balance. Moreover, you can suffer from this wound while performing some advanced tricks such as aerial tricks or heelflips. With an incorrect foot brake strategy, you may increase the risk easily.
Although this heel bruise is not extreme, it will make the skaters experience a long recovery with a weak and painful heel. As primary help, we recommend you get some rest, use ice, elevation, and compression. However, if the ache becomes insistent, you should go to a doctor to examine and cure it thoroughly.
Hot Pockets Or Great Extension Of Ankles
Hot pockets or extreme stretching of the ankle will appear when you capture your ankle while transferring extra weight. In the beginning, your pain can remain for some minutes. Yet, the ache will turn more extreme, which leads to lengthy recovery later on.
Therefore, always wear your top-quality ankle pads to protect them. If you experience this damage, we would suggest using ice for some days and reducing walking or any different harsh physical workouts.
Besides, examine the wound carefully to ensure the joints won’t be affected. If you can not realize any progress or receive difficult mobility, it pays to contact an osteopath quickly.
Sprained Ankle
This sprained ankle is another frequent ache that many riders can confront. There may be a few results like losing control, accidental swiftness of hesitation, speed, and decision, which leads to a damaged ankle.
If a skateboarder lands on his foot as it is half on the floor and half on the board; he can extremely hurt the ankle. A straightforward arrival on the ankle will roll your ankles. When you have this ache, contact physical therapists as soon as possible to heal it appropriately.
Broken Wrist And Fingers
A broken wrist is also a common injury when practicing this sport. You may get it while falling on the ground and using your fingers to land on it. Constant wrist and finger damage will cause an extreme fracture. If you experience this ache, it is better to stop skating for a while.
We would propose to buy suitable and strong wrist guards to cover your vulnerable part. Another practical way is to train your mind not to use your fingers when falling off. Try to practice rolling and tucking in your elbows to reduce the harsh wounds.
If you get damaged with your fingers and wrist, see a specialized doctor or analgesics and follow his therapy to recover correctly.
Back Pain
Back Pain
If your level of skating improves, you may want to try new tricks such as kick turns, pop shuvit, hardflip, backside 180, or nose manual. You also desire to overcome any obstacles, yet you can outface some constant slams, leaving you quite discomforting over time if you practice carelessly.
The counterbalanced stance can be the root of back pain. In addition, when you use too much pressure and quick speed to perform frontside 180, it may hurt your back.
Always warming up before skating and stretching after each workout can assist you in decreasing back pain. However, if you find the ache persistent, it is good to go to a doctor and take medicine to enjoy your exercise completely for the next sessions.
How To Head Off Skateboard Damages?
Due to some common damage and sudden accidents, it is worth preparing yourself carefully before trying this interesting sport. Here are some practical methods and tools to protect your body from severe hurt at the beginning.
Wear Protective Gears
You can avoid some damage by using the correct equipment. We suggest changing your old knee pads, worn-out sneakers that don’t suit properly, or your current decks with cutting edges. Those old tools will make you suffer more difficulties.
Wearing protective gear is an excellent weapon to reduce numerous risks. When you start skateboarding, ensure that you are equipped with proper protective gear during the whole learning process. Check all your tools before you begin skateboarding, it only takes a few minutes.
- Examine whether your board shows signs of wear and tear.
- Guarantee the safety of your trucks and kingpin to avoid falling harshly.
- Ensure your grip tape is in good condition and cut out if it turns to be slippery.
- Always investigate your bearings because a fractured bearing will plug your wheels.
- Wear correct shoes, ankle and wrist pads, and sturdy knee pads to protect your knees.
It takes time to be familiar with wearing those safety gears, yet you will feel convenient and safe when you are used to having them. Whether you are a new or a skillful skateboarder, remember to prepare and wear protective tools to avoid any long-term damage.
Skateboard Helmet
It is advisable to purchase a top-quality helmet to safeguard your head. The most extreme traumas originate from head damage, usually caused by accidental traffic incidents. A sturdy helmet is an essential tool for keeping you secure.
Always wear a helmet when practicing. We suggest buying some models particularly used for skateboarding. Those helmets need to shield the back of your head while you are going for a ride. Bike helmets can be another alternative but purchase the strong straps and retention structure.
The helmet also has to be made CPSC-compliant. Check the size to fit your head completely. Make sure that the type of helmet you pick out has proper ventilation, so your head can keep cool during the whole skateboarding session.
This great ventilation also assists you in keeping your concentration on significantly balancing while skating and performing any basic tricks. Examine the condition of your helmet before riding and wear it tightly to ride effectively without any worry.
Wrist Guards
Wrist Guards
Wearing wrist guards or wrist pads can avoid breaking your wrist, awful scratches, and extreme bruises. These products are beneficial while you fall if you can not roll or take your foot brake safely.
They eliminate most of the pressure or harsh touch though they can be broken if you face severe falls. However, they can reduce the pain when you try to slide constantly until you pause, turn back on your board, and proceed.
Always buy strong wrist guards made of ABS plastic, which is impact-resistant to offer the greatest safeguard for your wrists and palms. You can choose any items that are made from EVA foam for the bolsters and padding.
Additionally, the significant straps are nylon with Velcro embed for simple alteration. There are a few wrist guards with Lycra breathable mesh fabric to decrease sweating and irritation.
Knee Pads
Wearing knee pads is the ultimate method to protect this vulnerable part of your body. Knee pads can retain shocks and are beneficial in improving falling strategies. Try to drop on your knee pads and start sliding.
As a road skater, you can feel restricted in your rolling while wearing knee pads. However, the advantages they bring outweigh few disadvantages. You can buy some flexible and suitable knee pads to rejoice in your workout.
Based on your style of skateboarding, you will purchase the proper knee pads to cover all your knees. Many users prefer vert knee pads because their function highlights the safety of longboarding and skating.
Specifically, the enclosing part for your leg is made from thick froth, whereas the cushion over the knee is tough plastic. These items have more froth behind the cushion to pad the leg and safeguard the skin thanks to their layer of cloth.
They are the greatest choices because they offer complete protection for your whole knees and shape the ideal ground for sliding. The only possible drawback is that the cushion is more slender around the back of your knee for forwarding flexibility.
Appropriate Clothing
Appropriate Clothing
You can choose your fashion, but we would suggest wearing thick pants, herringbone, or jeans that provide some defense when you need to bail. All you need is to wear comfortable and suitable clothing. You may want to purchase more extra tools to benefit from more protection.
Skater Socks
Skater Socks
After a long workout, your feet can become displeasing, so wear fitting socks. Some socks specialize in skating to bring you comfort and assist for your toes. You may want to purchase socks that permit free airflow to ventilate your feet.
Nowadays, many famous companies such as Volcom and Stance produce socks that go with breathable mesh features, including small holes to let air enter.
Suitable Shoes
Skateboard Shoes
Wearing skateboard shoes with proper cushioning can bring more “board feel” and boost your skating performance. In general, you can choose shoes that resist collision to prevent heel damage. Heel injury is a cumbersome issue and takes a long recovery with several restrictions.
Purchase Top-Quality Skateboards
KPC Skateboard
It is tactical to buy excellent and sturdy skateboards from trustworthy brands, such as KPC, Minority, or Powell Peralta. They contain strong hardware and a deck to protect your skating procedure. A high-quality skateboard
rd deck will comprise 7 layers of case-hardened maple wood.
Its wheels are made from durable urethane, which reduces the risk of breaking apart. Firm trucks will bear impacts easily and bring you great control to move and roll smoothly on rough surfaces.
In addition, fitting grip tape will help you avoid accidental slipping, reducing the chance of injury. Remarkable bearings can support a speedy ride and notable balance for many starters.
Master Steps To Fall Properly
Learning how to fall correctly is indispensable because it reduces the risk of severe injury. It is advisable not to land on your hands since you can break your wrist if the floor contains some tough material like concrete.
Train your brain to keep away from casting out your hands. The best solution is to wear wrist and knee pads, which help you to decrease the harsh touch to the ground. When falling, we recommend rolling and landing on your back and shoulders.
Specifically, rolling clears out the pressure of the fall, particularly decreasing the high level of injuries. Before real skateboarding sessions, it pays to do this rolling exercise on soft ground. Don’t harshen your limbs, but try to remain loose to reduce opportunities for breaking bones.
Warm-Up
Warm-Up
Warming up with a few exercises before skateboarding is very essential. You can follow some trustworthy websites to begin kickoff or change the activities based on your physical condition.
Firstly, practice a usual warm-up with your knees, feet, hips, and hands. Then, start extending the calf. Warm them correctly and leave your heels on the ground. Do this workout on the incline at average speed and appropriate time.
Squat down your feet to strengthen your pelvis and thighs. Next, tighten your ankles with basic turns on both sides to fortify the joints. We also suggest practicing warm-up exercises after your ride to make your muscles stronger.
Practice Foot Brake Techniques
Learning foot brake methods can help you to avoid some damage. First of all, try to make your legs forthright on the skateboard. Put your fingers in front of your skateboard. Set your thrust foot down while putting weight on your central foot and carefully move tension from the thrust foot to the central one to stop your skateboard.
Significantly, you shouldn’t apply the foot brake like a sudden pause when practicing downhill skills. Only use this strategy when skating on quite flat ground. We will offer you blow-by-blow steps of the stopping method to follow with ease.
Swing One Foot Forward
Firstly, turn your toe of one foot forward, adjust them the way they will confront your skateboard’s nose for a perfect foot brake. Many riders apply their central foot like a thrust foot.
Putting Out Pressure
If you can realize stability on your front foot, then force on that foot with a balanced control to set your back foot on the floor. You may want to change the speed after mastering the skill to swift your feet safely.
Convey The Pressure
We advise using small tension on the back foot that is on the floor, then freely move the strain from your front foot to your back one. Swift slowly with great balance to reduce the risk of falling.
Nevertheless, for a frequent brake, apply complete pressure on your back foot. Don’t panic if you sometimes fall. Those hard workouts will train you to become a professional skateboarder.
Find Secure Places To Practice Skating
For newbies, you should search for safe destinations like your regional skatepark to roll. The grounds are smooth and secure. Moreover, you can avoid some unintentional obstacles if you don’t skate on rough surfaces like concrete and noisy streets.
Always notice any skaters around you to adjust the speed to guarantee safety. Be alert and considerate to enjoy your whole workout. If you want to practice some technical tricks, it is a great choice to perform them in specialized skateparks or stadiums.
Master The Correct Strategies To Balance
It is vital to understand the basic knowledge to keep great balance before beginning to do tricks. Generally, smaller skateboards will be more suitable to control the balance because you will adjust the speed easier.
Avoid crowded streets and search for a flat surface to reduce injury while practicing this skill. At first, you can start by rolling at average speed, then slowly move your central feet to thrust one to decrease the impact. Always check the bearings, wheels and exercise this workout under appropriate weather.
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As a starter, you may raise a few questions like, is skateboarding bad for your knees? How does it impact the whole body?
We hope that after reading our article, you can realize that skateboarding damages in comparison to other common sports are much fewer. This workout is a great tool to strengthen your knees and different parts of your body.
However, they can occur often if you are not careful enough. Therefore, always wear complete safety gear and follow some instructions to decrease the high risk of injury.
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