Introduction

I recently went on a skiing trip, and since the last time I skied was 10 years ago, I decided to book a one-on-one instructional lesson with a skiing teacher. It turned out to be a great decision—she taught in a very intuitive way, and before long, I was confidently speeding down the slopes. However, my hubris got the best of me, and I ended up injuring my knee. While it wasn’t a serious injury, it hurt enough to linger for the next week.

This experience got me thinking about how exercises are taught, how they can be made fun and exciting, and how skiing-related injuries are treated.

My Experiences and Research

First, I want to talk about my skiing instructor and her teaching methods. She began by explaining common mistakes beginners make, such as not bending their knees enough or failing to lean forward properly. One exercise I particularly enjoyed involved holding my ski poles out in front of me and exaggerating my movements whenever I took a corner. This gave me a clear focus for each turn and made it easier for her to identify and correct my mistakes.

Curious to learn more, I delved deeper into the intersection of skiing and therapy, uncovering some fascinating insights. One story that stood out to me was about JJ Chalmers, a Royal Marine who was severely injured by a bomb explosion in Afghanistan. He later embarked on a skiing trip with his family and faced the challenge of picking up skiing again despite his disabilities. With the help of Whistler Adaptive, a sports-focused charity, JJ managed to relearn skiing, though it wasn’t without its difficulties. One option he considered but ultimately didn’t choose was the sit-ski, a device that allows users to ski while sitting down—something I hadn’t heard of before. Sit-skis are frequently used by people with physical disabilities and offer a way to enjoy skiing in a seated position.

A beginner with an instructor learning to ski using sit-skies

I also came across a fascinating scientific study examining the usability of a skiing game for Finnish and Japanese elderly people. The game was simple, with players controlling it by leaning and mimicking the arm movements of pushing with ski poles. The results highlighted some valuable considerations for creating effective, enjoyable therapy experiences:

Elderly participants preferred real-world environments.
Visual cues were crucial for delivering information, though many elderly users particularly appreciated voice-based instructions.
Positive feedback was strongly preferred over negative reinforcement.
Ensuring a safe environment and lowering the risk of injury were paramount.
Minimizing frustration in gameplay was essential to avoid discouraging participants.
Controller-free interaction using gesture controls was preferred over physical controllers.

This study underscored the importance of thoughtful research when designing playful therapy methods, especially when catering to a specific target demographic. Many factors—such as user preferences, safety, and feedback—must be considered to create an engaging and effective experience.

Reflecting on my own injury, even though it wasn’t severe, gave me a new appreciation for the challenges of pain and recovery. I tried several knee and skiing exercises I found online, and while some were exhausting and required a lot of focus, others felt tedious. One thing that struck me was the lack of feedback—without guidance, it’s hard to know whether you’re performing an exercise correctly. I believe this highlights the importance of incorporating feedback mechanisms, whether through a coach, a game, or some other tool, to make recovery both effective and engaging.

Conclusion

My skiing trip, despite the setback of a minor knee injury, was a valuable learning experience. It reminded me of the importance of intuitive teaching methods and how much fun exercises can be when taught creatively. My research into skiing therapy and gamification opened my eyes to the potential of using technology and thoughtful design to make therapy more accessible and engaging—whether through adaptive skiing devices like the sit-ski or gamified therapy for elderly individuals.

Ultimately, skiing is not just a sport but also a platform for resilience, innovation, and recovery. From helping people with disabilities regain confidence on the slopes to using gamification to make therapy more appealing, the possibilities are inspiring. My own experience, combined with these insights, leaves me excited about how skiing and therapy can intersect to create positive change.

#5 Impulse: Skiing and Therapy

Introduction

My Experiences and Research

Conclusion

Further reading and information

Schreibe einen Kommentar Antworten abbrechen

Introduction

My Experiences and Research

Conclusion

Further reading and information

Similar Posts

Schreibe einen Kommentar Antworten abbrechen