What is Skateboarding?
By: Alex Bigale, PTA
Skateboarding is a sport that involves riding and/or performing tricks on a skateboard. Skateboarding got its start in the late 1940’s/early 1950’s in California and Hawaii when surfer wanted a way to “surf” when the ocean was flat. The attached wheels to small surf boards and were referred to as “asphalt surfers”.
Skateboarding
In 1959, the first mass produced skate boards were made with a more modern day design that included trucks and bearing. This allowed the skateboarders to begin performing more tricks and maneuver better. Now there are many styles of skate boards that allow skaters to perform different types of riding. Long boards are better suited for cruising and skating in areas with big hills, where as, short boards can be utilized for tricks and skating on ramps or in skate parks.
Skateboarding in Jacksonville
There are skate parks all over Jacksonville, so depending on where you live there is most likely one near you. In no particular order here are some of the parks around town:
- Kona Skate Park
- South Beach Skate Park
- Monument Skate Park
- Cuba Hunter Park
- Ocean City Rotary Skate Park
- Baldwin Skate Park
- Orange Park Skate Park
Is Skateboarding Exercise?
Skateboarding is a great form of exercises as it works on cardiovascular endurance, balance, and strength. According to longboardingnation.com, skateboarding can burn between 250-400 calories per hour depending on the intensity of your riding.
Skateboarding is an excellent way to build lower extremity and core strength. Glutes, Hamstrings, and Gastroc muscle are constantly being utilized to propel you forward on the skateboard. Core muscles (different abdominals), quads, and hip muscles are also being activated in order to maintain balance and stability on the skate board.
Man skateboarding on a rail.
Can You Get Abs From Skateboarding?
Although the abdominals are a main component of maintaining trunk control/core stability on a board, skating alone will not get you that 6 pack. Diet is the main component of weight loss and the ability to see the abdominal muscles.
Common Skateboarding Injuries
Injuries as a result of skateboarding come in a wide variety. The least severe would be
- bruises
- abrasions
- sprained ligaments
- strained muscles.
Broken bones are another type of injury that occurs from falling off of a skateboard, especially when performing tricks in a bowl or on a ramp/half pipe. The most severe injuries would be
- concussions
- TBI
- death
Skateboarding can wear and tear on the body/joints over time, but is not necessarily bad for your ankles/knees/and hips as long has you have good strength to promote stability around the joints themselves.
Preventing Skateboarding Injuries
Although it is not possible to prevent injuries from occurring, it is possible to reduce your risk for injury. This can be done by:
- Proper equipment - helmets, elbow and knee pads, gloves/wrist guards, long sleeve clothing, and closed toe footwear can go a long way in reducing the risks and severity of an injury.
- Knowing your limits - as your skateboarding skills progress, it will be tempting to push the limits on the tricks you are attempting. Staying within your skill set will help reduce the risks for injury.
- Safe environment - Skate parks that are well maintained can reduce the risks for injury due to things like broken ramps, cracks in cements, or wet/sandy surfaces which can throw off even the best skaters.
Related Links: JOI Sports Center, Cheerleading Injuries, and Pickleball
JOI and JOI Rehab
JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments.This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.
You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.
To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.
