I was going through some old documents today and found this. It actually started as a research paper I did for a Freshmen Comp class in which we were given the freedom to pick any topic as it was the first real assignment. After receiving an A, I made a new version that was a little less academic. Anyway, I figured some of you guys may find it interesting, and I wanted to share it. It's got some interesting stuff in it that I didn't even know before, so please read.
The question that every one of us have been wondering; “What is it about skiing that’s so special”? I did some research and found that there really are scientific factors that make this sport so special and even somewhat addicting.
What follows is an overview of my key points. (FYI this is not my research paper).
According to Courtney Eaton at the University of New Hampshire, skiing promotes physical, mental, social, and emotional aspects of wellness. Participating in outdoor winter sports such as skiing may help you feel happier and healthier this winter season.
Several health factors that the average person may not think about can be derived from outdoor winter sports. Skiing forces people to spend time in the fresh air, and natural ultra-violet light. Those who hibernate will be more likely to experience the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Seasonal affective disorder is not uncommon among those who live in the Northeast. One of the most common treatments for SAD is known as bright light therapy. This is the process of administering about 2500 lumens of light to the recipient at eye level.
Skiing forces you to spend time in natural sunlight. The amount of light you experience during the day can range from about 10,000 lumens on a sunny summer day to about 1,000 on an overcast winter day. Even when it is cloudy, you still receive a large amount of natural UV light. Another factor that needs to be considered is the reflection from the snow. The snow reflects much of the light from the sun back toward the atmosphere. You can benefit from that as well. According to NASA, fresh snow reflects about 94% of incoming UV-B radiation, while things like pavement or vegetation only reflect about 4% As you ski, you spend a lot of time looking directly at the snow. Even on a cloudy winter day, you have about 940 lumens of light projected into your eyes, and much more on a sunny day. In a sense, spending time outside in the snow is a natural form of light therapy without having to go to a lab. We do not necessarily all need to be skiers to reap this benefit, however. Simply spending time outside in the snow or engaging in some other form of exercise such as snowshoeing would reap the same benefits.
Engaging in physical activity in general is always a good way to improve one’s health. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Moderate to vigorous physical activity generates the brain to release endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine, which are chemicals that make you feel good." What's awesome about skiing is that it combines all these factors into one. Skiing is a proprioceptive sport. Proprioception is defined as "one’s ability to feel the position of different body parts and the effort that goes into moving them.” This in and of itself is almost the definition of skiing because skiing involves quite a bit of balance and coordination. Proprioceptive activities will also help to prevent aging. In other words, the more you ski, the better your balance will be throughout your life. Another physical aspect of skiing is joint movement. When you ski, you are carrying all your weight on your feet. Therefore your knees endure the weight and are strengthened as a result. If you have been skiing for a while, the good news is that you have been strengthening your knees and legs all along and will be less vulnerable to injury later in life. You are also strengthening your bones.
Skiing is an interval training sport. Interval training requires short bursts of energy for a short period of time followed by a resting period. A typical ski run lasts one to three minutes followed by a several-minute lift ride. This is an excellent way to stay in good shape. Skiing also engages your stomach muscles, which increases your core stability, and promotes weight loss. Another aspect of skiing that promotes weight loss is simply spending time in cold temperatures. Your body has to raise its own temperature in order to stay warm while in a cold environment, burning even more calories. Humans and mammals shiver to keep warm by increasing the number of calories your body burns, resulting in higher body temperature.
Although much of this information may be somewhat obvious, It proves just how awesome the sport is. You no longer have to feel guilty spending large sums of cash, knowing how good skiing is for you. Skiing can also be socially uplifting. There’s nothing like spending time skiing with friends all day, and having other people to share the experience with. Often times the visual experience associated with skiing is also very satisfying.
I'll take boilerplate ice over wet snow any day
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