Monday, March 9, 2009

The Health Advantages of Winter Sports

By Andrew Mitchell

Its the time of year when winter sports are in fashion, and yet many people chose to stay on their sitting-room sofas rather than go out and get some exercise. The main reason why many choose to stay sedentary during this icy season is because the cold and darkness are not exactly motivating, and this is exactly why people put on a few extra pounds over the period of November to February. To remedy this, some of the worlds leading physicians and osteopaths have a look at the ways in which winter sports " such as skiing, snowshoeing, or ice-skating " can be beneficial to your health.

While the frosty roads are not really welcoming, being outside can be very beneficial to your health. There might not be as much sunlight available in the winter, but the rays that do reach us are very direct, and give us our necessary Vitamin D. And if you have a chance to go into the mountains for some downhill sports, the fresh mountain air can be very cleansing to those with allergy problems, asthma, or breathing difficulties due to pollution.

The sports themselves are excellent for burning off some of those Christmas-dinner calories. Experts say that the average person of 70 kilos loses between 300-400 calories per hour when skiing, and as much as 500-550 calories during snowshoeing " and these do not have to be high-level or rigorous sessions " you can burn these calories simply by moving.

Winter sports are obviously also a great way to get in shape. Skiing uses almost all muscle groups, but puts the most pressure on your legs " it is particularly strenuous for your knees and quad muscles. Skating affects similar muscle groups, but tends to use the hamstrings and quads more. These sports, among others, are therefore sure ways of getting your muscles working and your heart pumping again, contributing to a fitter you.

What is more, most skiers, snowboarders or snowshoe hikers are, more often than not, recreational athletes " people who partake in sports due to their appeal rather than their ability to burn calories. This makes winter sports a good and fun way of getting back in shape. While it can often be rough in the beginning, individuals often leave the piste or the skating rink feeling more active and healthier than before.

One of the most significant benefits of winter sports is that doing exercise in the winter " a time when most prefer to sit and watch TV, is good for your heart. A study conducted by the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation says that wintertime exercise " any exercise " reduces the risk of heart disease and strokes. For those who hate going jogging in the cold, ice-skating or snowboarding might be a fun alternative to get the exercise your heart needs.

It is therefore evident that winter sports have many health advantages, and offers possibilities to everyone. Just be wary of overdoing it " you dont want your ski vacation waste on a broken leg. Trying sports such as cross-country- and alpine- skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and snowboarding are good ways to get active during this low-energy season. So grab your snowboard, skis, or snowshoes and head for the pistes! - 14130

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