Ankle Exercises for Skiing

[tvrforever]

Well I spent 1 hour yesterday snowboarding and an hour skiing @ MK XScape for a quick catch up.

All went well but my left ankle reminded me that it's always been a little suspect - anybody got any ideas as to how to strengthen it?

[turbobloke]

Pre-skiing exercises have included: extend each leg in turn, when seated, then keeping the leg straight rotate the foot at the ankle to its fullest extent 10 reps clockwise then 10 anticlockwise so your toes decribe as big a circle in the air as you can, build up number; step up and down from small step - not so high the legs take most of it - 20 reps; standing up legs fairly close together, lift both heels off the floor to raise your body up so that you end up on the balls of your feet (no tittering at the back) close to tippy toes, then lower, 10 reps in slow motion and increase reps.

>> Edited by turbobloke on Thursday 16th December 08:31

[KITT]

When skiing, the boots tend to lock your ankles in place. My right ankle's always been terrible since I sprained it very badly a few years ago (falling down some stairs). Never had a problem with it when skiing though

[mechsympathy]

KITT said:

When skiing, the boots tend to lock your ankles in place. My right ankle's always been terrible since I sprained it very badly a few years ago (falling down some stairs). Never had a problem with it when skiing though

Snowboarding tends to be worse for ankles.

Is it stiff, weak or poorly controlled?

[cliffe_mafia]

The best one my physio taught me was to stand on one leg and throw (and catch) a tennis ball against a wall.

It really does the trick because you have to struggle to balance.