Skiing for seniors? Why not? asks Dr. Randall Schaefer, an orthopedic specialist who is an expert skier himself.
Schaefer says the key is to be aware of the special circumstances of age."As we age, we do experience decreases in strength, flexibility, endurance, cardiovascular function and the ability to sense the position of our joints in space," he says.
But that doesn't mean retiring from the slopes, he says, provided that you take a few precautionary steps:
- Check with your doctor before beginning.
- Get in shape. Lauren McManus, sports and fitness director for the California retirement community Sun City Palm Desert, says, "A good overall program will include NordicTrack, exercycle or treadmill for cardiovascular development, and some weight training."
- Ease into the season. Palm Desert residents Chuck Monte, 63, and his wife, Trudie, 60, have a regular exercise program. Chuck swims and rides his exercycle. Trudie plays tennis and attends aquacize. But they still enter the skiing season cautiously.
"We start by skiing locally a few times before we go up to the big mountains," Chuck says.
- Take lessons. Schaefer says this is particularly important for those returning to the sport after a hiatus of some years.
- Understand your limitations. Jim Seacrist, 63, a ski instructor at Heavenly Valley, Calif., says, "Seniors need to have realistic expectations and goals. They will have fun and enjoy the sport, but not at the level of a 20-year-old."