Cross Country Skiing- A Hidden Winter Gem?
Cross country skiing is one of those sports that looks picture perfect with skiers smiling in the woods that are filled with snow. But did you know about all the health benefits it has to offer?
A full Body Low Impact Workout
– Cross country skiing is a very low impact form of working out, which can be great for those who experience joint pain with higher impact activities.
– For amateur skiers, training also improves fitness; a study of middle aged skiers saw better VO2 max fitness and reduced body fat percentage after four months of skiing.
Cardiovascular Health & Longevity
– Cross country skiing has been found to be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events along with all cause mortality. In fact, research has followed skiers for up to 30 years and found lower all cause mortality compared to the general population.
– Struggling with high blood pressure? Skiing has also been found to lower blood pressure in those with hypertension, with more skiing resulting in lower incidence of high blood pressure.
Skiing And Mental Health
– With winter months being difficult for many, cross country skiing has been shown to have significant effects on stress reduction and improving overall mood during a short 8 week introduction to ski class. Research has also shown that skiing can decrease the risk of developing depression over a 20 year period by up to half.
Summary
Cross country skiing is a great full body workout that helps build and maintain a great cardiovascular health system and strengthens major muscle groups all with minimal impact on the joints. Due to skiing occurring outdoors in natural, peaceful environments it can have a positive boost on mood and mental health well being.