The Secrets to Still Ruling the Ski Slopes at 100
Story by Jen Murphy workout@wsj.com
Balance, strength and body control decline as we age. Older skiers can counteract the effects with two hard and fast rules: Be willing to train and know your limits on the slopes. At 104, Klaus Obermeyer can still schuss down a mountain on skis. He no longer cares about going fast or skiing first chair to last. He says he’s pleased if he can get out for a single run once or twice a season.
Obermeyer proudly contends that he skied better in his 80s than most people in their 60s. He credits that athleticism to a dedicated routine of swimming, push-ups and a martial art, aikido. That kind of commitment to exercising is crucial to anyone who wants to ski later in life. Mountain sports aren’t safe for everyone at those ages. But for those who can handle the training and risk, research shows that skiing and snowboarding may protect against age-related proprioception decline.
Society tends to limit what we can do as we get older, says Maurice Williams, a National Academy of Sports Medicine senior-fitness specialist based in Hendersonville, Tenn. When his clients want to embrace a new activity, he considers their biological age—a measure of health that factors in fitness. The mental and social benefits of skiing can outweigh the physical benefits. Participating in activities that are physical, outdoors and allow us to engage with others has a positive effect on our cognitive processes, mood and overall happiness, says Dr. Dana Jeffrey Plude. He is deputy director of the Division of Behavioral and Social Research with the National Institute on Aging in Bethesda, Md.
Skiers should incorporate eccentric strength training, where the lowering phase of an exercise is slowed down to keep the muscles under tension for a longer period.
A base level of fitness should come first before progressing to sport-specific training. Cross-training by hiking, walking and biking is invaluable as we age. And as we get older, he says it’s important to incorporate exercises that train balance and power.
Warming up is always a good idea before getting on the ski hill, he adds.