In part one of this series, we took a look at figure skating injury rates and boot-related problems. In part two, we'll discuss possible solutions, proper boot selection, new products in development, and how to prepare for the “new and improved” boots.
In November of 2003, the U.S. Figure Skating Boot and Blade Subcommittee met with the seven largest boot manufacturers in North America to discuss the future direction of figure skating boots. Key areas discussed were boot weight, defects, shock absorption and bendability. Although many of the specific details are top secret, we can give you a sneak peek into the future of figure skating.
Possible Solutions to Problems
Weight: For years, boots have been made mostly of leather. Unfortunately, leather is a heavy material that absorbs water and therefore becomes even heavier with wear. To reduce boot weight, companies are starting to look at and incorporate new lighter materials. Thermoplastics seem to be one possible solution. Be prepared, these boots will look different. Although they might not be as sleek in design as a leather boot, they should be safer and have the potential to enhance performance.
Boot Defects: Up to 20 percent of boots have been found to be defective. It is hoped that the incidence of defects declines as manufacturers strive for a consistently reproducible product and as consumers become more educated. Manufacturers need to improve quality control at the factory level.
Smart consumers will learn to check the product themselves. Look from the back of the boot to see if roughly half the boot falls on each side of an imaginary center line and that the boot is mounted vertically in relationship to the heel. Make sure the bottom of the boot is level with a flat surface and the boot is vertical.
Carefully inspect each pair of boots thoroughly and send back any faulty products immediately. In my physical therapy practice, I often see skaters with pain and/or injuries that appear to be associated with boot defects. It is always frustrating to see young skaters in pain off the ice, and spending money on medical care for something that could have been prevented with careful inspection of every pair of new boots.
Stiffness: It is evident that boots have become too stiff over time. In the near future, you will see more flexible boots enter the market. Some will have mobile ankle joints and others might incorporate softer lighter materials with better capacity to bend. If your ankles are strong and flexible, you will find skating and jumping in these boots more similar to jumping on land.
Those dependent on boot stiffness to compensate for weak ankles are likely to have the greatest challenge when the new boots arrive. Plan ahead and begin an ankle strengthening and calf flexibility program now! See how to prepare for the new products at the end of this article.
Proper Boot Selection
Brand: Regardless of changes made within the industry, it is important for the skater to be able to select the best boot possible for them. No one brand is the best brand for everyone. Resist the urge to buy what everyone else is buying and select the best product for you. Since many skate shops represent only a few manufacturers, do not hesitate to try another store to get other opinions and to test different products.
Stock Versus Custom: Whenever possible, purchase stock boots. The advantage is that you can often try a number of pairs in the same size so you can select the ones that are defect-free and fit the best. If it isn't possible to wear stock boots, make sure that you are properly measured for the correct width and length of your foot for semi-custom or custom skates.
Remember, if you have any significant lumps and bumps on your feet, customs are the only way to go because heat molding can only do so much. Always make sure that your heel fits snugly in the back of the boot so that you don't get pump bumps or hammer toes. Presuming you place your heel all the way back in the boot before lacing, you should not be able to pump your heel up and down in the boot.
Orthotics: Custom foot orthotics are recommended for those with difficulty getting to an outside edge or with significant bunions, bursitis on the ankle bones, or navicular (bone in the arch) enlargement as these findings correlate with uncorrected pronation (flat foot) problems. Orthotics will fit easily into custom or stock boots if you work with an individual who is accustomed to making low-volume, narrow-cut, intrinsically posted orthotics.
To eliminate rocking in the skate, I am now recommending subortholene orthotics that allow a flexible accommodation to the pitch of the skates. If you need orthotics, work only with medical professionals with past experience fitting skating orthotics. Orthotic fabrication is, unfortunately, both an art and a science. Consult with other skaters and coaches to find a physical therapist, doctor or podiatrist in your area. While some may advocate hard orthotics, I find that something with more flexibility and shock absorption is a better choice for managing the harsh and repetitive impact encountered in figure skating.
Weight: Look at how the skate weight compares to the skater's weight, and try to keep this relationship below 5 percent (with blades) when possible. Going above this percentage could potentially increase your risk of injury and/or negatively impact your performance. For example: If you weigh 90 pounds, the combined total weight of your skates should not exceed 4.5 pounds.
Stiffness: Take your bendability score (from Part One) into consideration before selecting your next pair of boots. If you have six to 12 months wear in your current skates and still have poor to fair bendability (0–6 cm knee over toe) in skates, order your next pair with less stiffness and/or strength.
Resist the temptation to buy a certain stiffness based on the level of your jumps. It is better to use your bendability score as an indication of appropriateness of boot stiffness. If you discover that you are overbooted, most manufacturers will remove up to 20 percent of the boot strength to increase the bendability of your current skates.
Expect that you should need to replace your boots every six to 12 months. This is the industry standard and expected life of the product. Wear beyond this time indicates that the boots were too stiff and they may have potential for causing injury.
Persistent Pressure Spots: Remember that heat-moldable products can be remolded several times. If you are still having pressure problems, reheat and remold again. If pressure problems or redness persists, have the boots punched or stretched until the redness and pressure is relieved. There is no reason to let a small bump turn into a large bump. Take care of your pressure spots until they are resolved!
Product Development
Change is around the corner. Riedell is in the concept design and development phase with the subcommittee to integrate new ideas and concepts into future product development.
Both Graf and Jackson are currently testing new products with some of the national-level novice and junior skaters. Testing will continue for several months before the boots are ready for mass manufacturing.
Prepare for New Products
Stretching: In the meantime, make sure that your body is prepared for the increased ankle mobility of the new boots. If your bendability score out of boots is poor or fair, start stretching your calves daily. While stretching, make sure to keep your foot in a straight line and stretch with the leg straight and bent. If you feel pressure in the front of your ankle rather than in the calf, consult a physician and/or physical therapist specializing in manual therapy. They will loosen the joint restriction that prevents the muscle from stretching.
Strengthening: It will be important to strengthen through a greater range of motion than ever before. Let's take advantage of some helpful training exercises from the dance world.
Start with simple heel raises on one foot. As you do this exercise, watch your alignment in the mirror. Make sure that the heel rises up directly over the second toe and the ankle does not roll in or out. Work on eliminating any ankle wobble as you rise up and lower down. When on the ball of your foot, make sure that you feel contact of your first and fifth toes to the ground, but focus the weight over the second toe.
Once you can perform this exercise smoothly, add a light-weight band around your ankle while you raise and lower. Change the angle of the band so that the band pulls from all directions like on the face of a clock. With smooth, slow controlled motion, try two to four repetitions in each of the 12 different directions.
Foot articulation: Many skaters have stiff feet from years of skating and jumping in stiff boots. In fact, the stiffness of the boot causes muscle atrophy and joint stiffness somewhat similar to wearing a cast.
Foot articulation is necessary for proper shock absorption to prevent injury and to create a powerful push-off and increased vertical jump height. The best place to work on articulation of the foot is by using the jump board on the pilates reformer. You can find a trained pilates instructor near you by calling 1-800-4pilates.
In absence of a jump board, try the pilates footwork series. Stand with your heels together and toes about three to four inches apart. With your heels glued together at all times, lift your heels off the ground as high as possible. With the heels fully raised, bend your knees while keeping the spine and pelvis up tall. Keep the knees bent and proceed to press your heels down to the floor. Finish the sequence by straightening the legs back to the starting position. Repeat 10 times this direction and then reverse the pattern.
To reverse, bend the knees and keep the heels down. Lift the heels and keep the knees bent. Straighten the legs while keeping the heels lifted. Finish by pressing the heels to the ground with the legs straight.
A Time for Change
The sport of figure skating is about to undergo the most significant equipment change it has seen in decades. The intent is to reduce injury and time off the ice while enhancing performance.
Imagine the potential. While there are bound to be challenges as we go through this transition, following the recommendations in this article will help you to prepare for the change and ease your transition in to a new exciting era of figure skating. Are you ready?
Linda Tremain PT, ATC/L has practiced sports medicine and manual therapy in the Chicago area for 15 years. For the past four summers, she has worked at the Olympic Ice Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y., where she provides fitness, physical therapy and the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning for skaters.
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