Practicing targeted muscle strengthening (particularly for the lower body and core) before heading to the mountains can significantly reduce the risk of skiing injuries.

noli's read

This physical preparation advice is particularly sound and supported by movement science. In general terms, a major meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published by Lauersen et al. (2014, 2018) shows that muscle strengthening is the most powerful tool for preventing sports injuries, reducing overall risk by more than 60%. Specifically for snow sports, observational studies such as the one by Raschner et al. (2012) directly associate core strength (stability training) with better knee protection during twisting motions. However, a systematic review by Hebert-Losier and Holmberg (2013) notes that there are still few direct clinical trials measuring the impact of these preparatory exercises specifically among amateur skiers. The direct effectiveness on recreational slopes is therefore partly extrapolated from other disciplines and relies on a solid consensus among sports experts. Despite this methodological nuance, preparing one's muscles remains an essential strategy to delay fatigue, which is the primary factor for falls at the end of the day.

the sources

1. 1Lauersen JB et al. 2014