AboutDr. Bruce Forciea Expertise I can handle most questions regarding sports injuries, conditioning, jumps, spins, and basic skating.
Experience Professional skating coach for 15 years. Former PSA Senior rated coach and ice show performer. Now a chiropractor and full-time college instructor in anatomy and physiology.
Organizations Human Anatomy and Physiology Society
Wisconsin Chiropractic Association
Publications Wisconsin Technical College System course in General and Advanced anatomy and physiology.
Author of Unlocking the Healing Code, a book on healing scheduled for release in December, 2007.
Education/Credentials Doctor of Chiropractic from Parker College.
B.A. Psychology Eckerd College
Awards and Honors Midwestern Novice and Junior Pairs Champion and National competitor.
Question What are you views on young figure skaters wearing ankle weights during on ice training?
Answer Hi Lori:
The basic idea behind using ankle weights (usually about 2.5 lbs) is to provide some resistance in order to increase strength. In my opinion the use of these wts is a bit tricky. For one, although they do provide some resistance they also can interfere with technique--especially with jumping. Figure skating is a very technical sport and includes very complex skills that require a great amount of coordination.
Skaters learn these complex skills via feedback that encompasses what is known as proprioception. In other words the joints of the body contain tiny receptors that feedback information to the nervous system. When you put ankle wts on you change the information sent to nervous system and this can interfere with technique. Then when the wts come off the information is changed again. So, in my experience I never used wts for jumps or spins. Changing these signals to the brain could result in more falls and more falls increase the likelihood of injury.
However, I feel that wts could be used for less complex skills such as basic stroking, spirals, etc (not footwork). Again in my experience I would not use them but I see no harm when using them to provide resistance for basic skills.
There are plenty of other ways to develop strength to increase jump height (try plyometrics).
Hope this helps,
Take care,
Bruce
Dr. Bruce Forciea
Author of Unlocking the Healing Code
www.informationalhealing.com
