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.
Expert: Dr. Bruce Forciea Date: 6/26/2008 Subject: Shin muscle cramping up: beginner
Question Hi, I'm a beginner at ice skating, male, aged 32 yrs. Have been on the ice exactly 2 times now, over the last 1 week. Basically signed up for Level 1 lessons. I seem to last only about 5-10 mins on the ice before my right leg shin muscle cramps and packs up.. Why is this happening? Is it a technique issue and if so, how do I correct this? I'm determined to do it the right way..
Answer Hi Roshan:
It sounds like you are suffering from fatigue of the shin muscles. This actually happens quite a bit with new skaters or with breaking in new skates. It is worse with poorly fitting or low quality skates. If there is not sufficient support from the skating boots the muscles in the lower leg go into overdrive in order to stabilize or balance the body. The technical term is proprioception. In other words there are nervous system sensors in your ankle that monitor the position of the joint. They in turn fire the muscles of the lower leg to help you keep your balance. A lot of stimulation can result in a lot of contraction of the stabilizing muscles and cause cramping.
I had a similar thing happen to me when I took my daughter roller skating and rented inline skates. I was not used to the lack of proper support so my lower legs cramped up pretty fast.
My advice would be to check to make sure you have good fitting and supportive skates. The more wobble there is in the ankles the more your shins will cramp.
Good luck with your skating,
Bruce
Dr. Bruce Forciea
Author of Unlocking the Healing Code
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www.informationalhealing.com
