SKATING: A PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATION
© Brian “Moves” The B-Funk PhenomenonIt’s logical to pay full attention to the legs when it comes to rollerskating and other such sports and activities in which people are constantly on wheels, or balancing on sharp pieces of iron, in order to maintain their equilibrium.
A large part is related to the legs, there’s no going around it. Despite the activity, the entire body is in motion, responsible for the balance and correction, should there be a loss of it.
And remaining closer to home: your entire body is involved when it comes to dancing. At least, the more you get into it, the more of your body you’ll use. Without noticing or realizing it, while (dance) skating, you end up using muscles in your body you may never have known existed otherwise.
The back and stomach muscles are extremely important. Together they work as antagonists (acting in opposition to one another) in order to make the body as stable as possible and / or to help correct posture and balance distortion. Ask any random skilful figure skater about the condition of his or her abs and you shall get a proud display of the value of that washboard, possibly even accompanied by a smirk at the thought of all the intensive workouts!
Most dance movements and tricks require a great deal of power. Particularly when you are learning a new movement or routine, that’s when you’ll quickly reach your energy’s limits. A great deal of muscular strength and concentration is demanded of you, especially in the beginning when you quickly go through all your energy reserves (you must and shall get the hang of that one move!)
Solely due to repetition is when you will not only increase the muscular strength required to accomplish a particular move, but you will also be working on your endurance. This will allow you to execute the move in question at the same level over and over again. To make a long story short, through regularity in structural impacts (training), you will develop a certain lading level.
After practicing a couple of times you will quickly feel progress. You start to gain control over the move and perhaps even already slowly begin to feel that you can make variations of the move that you’re working on.
In order to refine your movements you aim towards control and calmness in the move. Regardless of how powerful and explosive a move may be, if you can find composure within the move, then you will achieve total control.
The more control you have, the suppler and more relaxed you will dance. And the crazier you’ll be able to move!
Overexertion
Should you be a persistent fanatic who will stop at nothing, beware of overdoing your training.
Rest is just as important as the training itself. Your body needs time in order to recover and adapt. Other than the obvious fall-related ones, there are two specific injuries when it comes to dance skating (rollerjamming):
-Problems with the upper leg’s adductor muscles
-Knee problems
The first problem has to do with the musculature on the inside of the upper leg. This is where you will find the adductor muscles which principally have the function of: the turning inwards of the upper leg, the closing of the legs after having spread them, the crossing of the legs, and the stabilization of the upper leg with a bent or stretched knee. The principal adductor muscles begin at the pubic bone (os pubis) and attach themselves to different parts and sections of the thighbone (os femoris). The area of origin is generally also known as the groin.
The Groovy has turned out to be a notorious practice / movement among skaters. The Groovy is a movement in which the legs spread sideways at an equal speed and distance by means of riding the back wheels forward. This means that the front wheels are off the ground. The knees are stretched at all times, but not touching each other.
Should you not be used to this movement, then you will quickly get to know the anatomy of the upper leg muscles and should therefore be able to point out your adductor muscles in no time. ;-) This movement is a true king under de known skate moves, and accomplishing it determines your skating skills to a certain degree.
The same applies here: try to find composure within this move and most importantly, don’t overdo it!
An injury is easy to get, but difficult to get rid of. Especially if you are considerably addicted to rollerjamming.
The second problem has to do with the knee joint. A delicate and complex area in itself, and one injury can unfortunately mean remaining discomfort. Problems with the knees are something you usually can’t blame on skating as an immediate cause. It’s often the case that there is already a certain degree of insufficiency in the knees, but it only makes itself known through (more) intensive lading.
This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of the world, but that you should be extra careful. Due to the fact that you’re constantly busy correcting your balance when on skates, your knees are also exerted at a more intense level.
It’s important to take note of when exactly the pain is felt. Constant pain, for example, or recent pain. A “funny feeling in the knee” when beginning to move, or only during certain moves. Or perhaps even after you’re done with dancing.
In the United States one would (especially due to legal reasons) say “consult your physician first before practice”. But a good dose of common sense will get you a long way.
Several useful tips:
Check your materials on a regular basis. Loose nuts, bolts, and screws aren’t convenient. Check your skates regularly and adjust them properly. Rusty or worn out materials can cause a lot of trouble.
Warming up before training definitely isn’t over the top. You probably won’t be practicing extensive warm-up exercises at a rollerdisco, but starting slow and working with a build-up is also considered a warm-up and definitely recommended.
The exertion will result to high amounts of transpiration. Especially in rollerdisco’s, where the “climate” (tropically warm, ideal for bar sales) is far from optimal, it’s really important to keep yourself “wet”. In other words, drink lots of fluids.
Skate safe, preventative measures are better than not being able to skate at all.
Feel free to contact www.quadsk8.nl for any questions, suggestions, tips, additions and/or experiences.