Inline Skating
The latest innovation in roller skating is inline skating. [*NOTE: Although many
people know the sport as "rollerblading," the term Rollerblade® is a registered
trademark of Rollerblade, Inc., and should not be used as a generic term for the
sport. Accordingly, this document will refer to the equipment and sport by the generic
terms "inline skates" and "inline skating," respectively.]
In 1980, inline skates were an ideal off-season training tool for hockey players.
Inline skating spread from hockey players to skiers, who also used them for training,
and then into the general population of fitness buffs and recreational sports consumers.
Swiftly gaining in popularity, rapid inline skating can burn as many calories per
minute as cycling or running. Its low-impact, gliding strokes apply less injury-causing
stress to the lower body joints than other sports such as aerobics or tennis. Ankles
are well-protected because the boots are a heavy, thick plastic and rise above the
ankle.
- About 20 million inline skaters hit the streets each year.
- According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, as many as two-thirds of inline
skaters do not wear safety gear.
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates approximately 11,000 inline skaters
suffer from head or face injuries annually.
- Inline skaters should always wear safety gear, including a helmet, knee and elbow
pads, and wrist guards.
- Just as you would wear a helmet while bicyling, you should wear a helmet when inline
skating.
- Helmets SIGNIFICANTLY reduce head and brain injury!
Since unintentional injuries can occur to even the most experienced inline skaters,
the National Safety Council recommends these skating safety tips:
- Always wear protective equipment: elbow and knee pads, light gloves, helmets, and
wrist guards.
- Before your first time out, take an inline skating course to learn the basics.
- Choose durable skates that match your needs, whether you exercise infrequently or
race. Your plans will determine the type of skate you should buy.
- For proper ankle support, feel the plastic of the boot: if you can squeeze it, the
material is not strong enough to give you reliable support.
- When buying skates, take socks to the store with you to ensure a proper fit, or
buy the socks there.
- Begin skating with a five-minute, slow skate to warm up; you will be less likely
to tear muscles.
- Start skating gradually on level ground. Practice moving forward, and ease into
skating.
- While skating, keep knees slightly bent, which will lower your center of gravity
and keep your body balanced on the balls of your feet.
- Practice stopping by bringing the foot with the heel stop forward until the heel
stop is next to the toe of the other foot. Gently bend your front knee while lifting
your toes up. This motion will bring you to a stop. This is known as the "heel stop."
There are other stopping methods, such as T-stop and power stop, as well as several
ways to slow down, for example, snowplowing and running on the grass.
Skaters should get current information on skating techniques and practice them for
greatest enjoyment of the sport consistent with safety.
- Accept the fact that falls will happen and practice falling on a soft lawn or a
gym mat if you are a novice skater.
- Be conscious of others: skaters, pedestrians, joggers, and bicyclists frequently
use the same areas. To avoid collisions, use caution when skating around others.
- Skate on the right side of sidewalks, bike paths and trails. Pass on the left as
cars do, after yelling "passing on the left". Don't pass without warning. Also pass
only when it is safe, and when you have enough room for both you and the person(s)
you want to pass to be at the full extension position of your stroke.
- It is dangerous to skate in the street. In densely populated areas, be especially
watchful for cars and other traffic when crossing roads and streets. Look left-right-left
and cross when it is safe to do so. Remember that you must obey all traffic regulations.
- Watch for changes in skating trail conditions because of traffic, weather conditions
or hazards such as water, potholes or storm debris. When in doubt, slow down. Do
not skate on wet or oily surfaces.
- Before using any trail, achieve a basic skating level, including the ability to
turn, control speed, brake on downhills, and recognize and avoid skating obstacles.
- Check skates regularly to make sure they are in good condition. Replace worn wheels
and the brake. Make sure the wheels are securely tightened and are not blocked by
debris or grass.
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