156 HEALTH & WELLBEING
SKI SEASON FITNESS
Top London shoulder surgeon , Carlos Cobiella is a highly skilled London-based Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with special interest in upper limb and sports injuries . He has treated many well-known A-list Oscar winning actors and directors and some of the world ’ s top professional sportsmen and athletes . Carlos is based in Marylebone at The Shoulder Practice in Devonshire Street .
Ski season is fast approaching and if it ’ s been a while since you last hit the slopes , now is the time to get in shape . When it comes to ‘ ski fitness ’ it ’ s often assumed we are talking about cardio , however , one area of training that is often overlooked is the upper body - which is crucially important for a good ski session .
Even the most experienced sloperider will experience a fall now and again , and so strong muscles are needed to help them pushup off the ground . After a fall , skiers can often be in an awkward position , weighed down by heavy equipment like skis and poles , and so upper body strength is vital to get upright and to keep up their stamina . The majority of ski injuries tend to be shoulder , elbow , and wrist injuries , and I have treated many patients over the years with shoulder damage from skiing . It can take years to correct a skiing injury and it can often be a tricky , costly and painful process . Therefore it pays to strengthen the upper body beforehand as a stronger body will make you more resilient and less prone to injury .
To start , focus on fluid movement patterns , rather than isolation exercises like bicep curls - also any sort of exercise which involves pushing or pulling will be especially effective and will mimic the movement on the slopes . Chin ups , press ups , planks are all good exercises , as well as single arm versions of these exercises , which are particularly good for making your core work double-time to keep you upright . Having a strong core equals a stable spine and this is incredibly important for decreasing your chance of damage on the slopes .
The shoulder joint has a huge amount of motion available and relies on multiple muscles to maintain its proper alignment and movement . It is capable of generating large amounts of power , e . g . pushing on a ski pole and propelling the body forwards . T It is very important for the movement involved in skiing . Rotator cuff tears from skiing and snowboarding are most often a result of a trauma - such as a fall or an impact with a tree , tower or another person . Accidents like this put pressure on the shoulder joint , causing it to twist which can result in a rotator cuff tear . Poor technique can also cause damage , so if it ’ s your first time skiing it ’ s important to make sure you are working with a qualified trainer , and if you haven ’ t been for a few years a refresher lesson will never hurt !
Contact The Shoulder Practice directly on 020 3488 0242 or email pa @ theshoulderpractice . com
THE ART OF LUXURY Issue 61 2023