Is skateboarding bad for your back? (Health Precautions)

For years, skateboarders have dazzled us with their tricks and aerial maneuvers at the skate park or on city streets.

But as thrill-seeking as it looks, is skateboarding bad for your back? With so many different stances and tricks to master, it can seem like an intimidating sport with a lot of potential for injury.

Yet, when done right, appropriate safety gear worn and proper form utilized – this full body workout offers myriad health benefits that outweigh the risks.

In this guide we’ll look at all aspects of skateboarding: health concerns versus rewards, tips to maximize skating sessions safely with minimal risk of resulting in long-term back pain.

Keep reading to find out if you should be strapping up your board now!

Is skateboarding bad for your back?

Skateboarding can negatively affect your back, especially if you are not wearing the proper protective gear.

The repetitive impact of landing jumps and tricks can cause lower back pain, as well as strain on your neck and shoulders.

Additionally, twisting or jerking motions while performing certain tricks can put a strain on back muscles and ligaments.

It is important to wear wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, and a helmet to protect yourself from injuries that may occur while skateboarding.

Taking breaks between tricks is also recommended in order to reduce the risk of fatigue-related injuries.

However, proper form and safety gear should be used to help protect your back while skateboarding.

Why does my back hurt after skating?

Whether you are an experienced skater or a beginner, it’s not uncommon to experience lower back pain after skating.

This can be caused by a combination of factors including the intensity of your session, skate posture, muscle fatigue, and more.

However, below are certain reasons why your back may hurt after skating:

Poor Posture –

Maintaining good posture while on your board is essential for preventing lower back pain.

Improper posture can cause your spine to become misaligned which can lead to discomfort and even injuries if left unchecked.

When skating, it is important to keep your head up, shoulders down and relaxed, chest open, stomach tight and shoulders squared while avoiding any hunching or slouching in order to keep your spine in a healthy position.

Muscle Fatigue –

Another common cause of lower back pain after skating is muscle fatigue.

Skating incorporates a lot of physical movements that require a variety of muscles to work together in order to perform them correctly.

This can lead to muscle fatigue which can then cause pain in the lower back area due to overuse or strain on certain muscles groups during intense sessions.

To combat this type of pain it is important to stretch before and after skating as well as taking breaks throughout long sessions in order for your muscles to recover properly between sets.

Soft Tissue Damage –

When the soft tissue surrounding the spine becomes damaged it can lead to lower back pain that may linger for days or weeks if left untreated.

Soft tissue damage can occur from falls on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt as well as repetitive motions that are done incorrectly or with too much force over time (such as when doing tricks).

It is important to take care when practicing new maneuvers to ensure that you are performing them correctly in order to avoid any unnecessary strain on the body that could lead to soft tissue damage down the line.

Weak Core Muscles –

Having weak core muscles can also contribute towards lower back pain after skating because they provide stability and support for the spine during physical activity such as skateboarding or surfing.

Strengthening these core muscles through regular exercise will help maintain good posture while skating, reduce muscle fatigue during long sessions, prevent injuries caused by falls or incorrect movements while performing tricks, and ultimately help alleviate any discomfort felt in the lower back area due poor positioning while riding your board.

Poorly Fitting Shoes –

Lastly but certainly not least; wearing shoes that fit poorly or don’t offer enough support for your feet can contribute towards lower back pain after skating due to improper weight distribution throughout the body when pushing off on each foot turn (this is especially true for those who wear their shoes too loose).

Wearing shoes with adequate cushioning around the heel area will help absorb shock better than thin-soled shoes which will ultimately result in less stress being put on your spine during each turn which should reduce any discomfort felt afterwards from overextending certain muscles during their repetitive motions needed while riding a board.

How can I prevent backpain due to skateboarding?

Now, I explained the reasons of lower back pain after skateboarding, here are some tips to help prevent it:

Wear Protective Gear –

Wearing protective gear such as helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards is essential for preventing back pain from falls and collisions while skateboarding.

It’s important to make sure that the fit of your equipment is comfortable and snug so you don’t have any extra movement or shifting of the gear during activity that could lead to discomfort or injury.

Strengthen Your Core –

Having a strong core is key when it comes to preventing back pain while skateboarding because having a weak core can contribute to poor posture which can lead to strains and pains in the back area.

You can strengthen your core by doing exercises such as planks, sit-ups, and crunches on a regular basis.

This will help improve your balance on the board as well as make you less prone to injury from falls or collisions.

Take Breaks –

It’s important to take breaks throughout your session so that you don’t get too worn out or overexerted which can lead to fatigue resulting in an increased risk of injury due to lack of concentration or lapse in judgment while skating.

Taking breaks also allows you time to stretch out any sore muscles before continuing with activity again which helps reduce stiffness and soreness after skating for extended periods of time resulting in less back pain overall.

Watch Your Posture –

Poor posture leads to poor balance on the board which increases your risk of falls and collisions leading to back pain issues over time if not corrected properly.

Make sure that you are standing up straight with your chest out while skating in order to maintain good posture on the board and reduce your chances of falling or being injured due to incorrect positioning on the board itself.

Stretch Beforehand –

Stretching before heading out for a session helps warm up your muscles so they are better prepared for more rigorous activity thereby reducing muscle strain over time from repetitive motions like those associated with skateboarding leading up decreased likelihood of developing chronic back pain from long-term use.

Conclusion

All things considered, skateboarding can be hazardous to your back health if proper precautions are not taken.

It is important that you wear the proper safety gear to protect your back from injury, as well as use proper form and technique when performing tricks.

Taking regular breaks between skateboarding sessions can help prevent fatigue-related injuries.

Overall, skateboarding can be a great full body workout with many benefits, but always remember to practice safety first in order to protect your back and reduce the risk of pain or injury.