@SXMGirl
I can tell you from my experience when I tried to back ice skating after 14 years and many serious health issues later. I first made sure I was very physically fit before I even thought of trying to skate.
Since I had skated since I was 8, I thought it would be easier for me to get everything back. Used the "riding a bike theory" that it would come back fairly easy! WRONG.
Couldn't even stand up. Several falls and getting up on ice is much different than getting up on solid ground. Had a couple people help me more than once. When I fell and broke an upper right side rib, I knew it was decision time. Either give it up or seek help with my balance.
I got in touch with a PT that specialized in balance. Went 3 times a week for 12 weeks, along with doing 30-45 minutes at home on the off days. I narrowed it down to the exercises I felt would help me the most for skating.
I didn't even attempt to skate again for over 4 months. Was able to stand with balance and little by little weaned myself away from hanging onto the boards.
Over time, and with balance, being able to once again pretty much control my falls. I had a beat up left outer/upper thigh, that is how I chose to fall.
Lots of muscle between that and the bone, so muscle and bone bruises lasted for months. Nothing that bothered me or my skating. Over months I regained most of my skills and skating speed. I also regained my ability to pretty much control how I did fall.
Getting up? Still on ice it is not easy. At home I get up off the floor by rolling over on my hands and knees/pushing with my arms, and kicking both feet under me to a standing position.
On ice? Your hands slide, which is 1 thing. The other is the blades that add about 2+" to getting your feet under you. Sliding hands and a higher push? Couldn't do it, so rolled on side/got 1 blade digging into the ice/used my quads to push my other leg under me and straighten up.
My advantage to others is my decades of being able control how I fall, but! You cannot do that without your balance. So balance is the key for all of this, on ice or on solid ground. Ice skating is all on 1 foot. When you stride, 1 foot is always off the ice. To crossover turn, 1 foot is off the ice. Both feet are only on the ice when you are coasting or standing still.
Everyone that asks me for skating tips my first thing is telling them to work on 1 leg balance, when standing or moving, when skating.
Standing on 1 leg is my major exercise at home. It not only gives you balance, it also helps you be able to regain it when you lose it, thus it keeps you from falling. Doing this at home, ALWAYS stand next to something you can easily grab when you do lose your balance.
Geez this is long! For me both for getting my balance back, the thing that works best for me is the 1 leg balance, both legs of course. This also strengthens the quad muscles because supporting your weight on 1 leg? Strength!
Gotta go now our huge yard now. With time/determination/patience, and mostly optimism and consistency, those were what I needed to help myself with these important age related issues.
C Ya!
hckynut 🏒
hckynut(john)
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