Instructional progressions are used for
those individuals who have the strength to independently support
themselves, to balance, and to coordinate movements while standing
upright. Generally these individuals ambulate (walk) independently with or
without the use of assistive aides (forearm crutches, walker, etc.). These
individuals may or may not also use other assistive aides such as
orthotics or braces to help them walk. Generally, use of one or two
handheld poles will be introduced to assist with achieving desired nordic
touring skills. Stand up nordic skiers may also use (a) one or two
handheld outriggers (forearm crutches with skis attached at the base of
the crutch) or (b) a modified walker with skis attached, thus providing
four points of contact with the snow. This equipment assists with static
and dynamic balance as well as helping to achieve desired dynamic nordic
skiing movements. Stand up nordic skiers may or may not require the use
of other specialized adaptive equipment to provide support to the skis
they are standing on (i.e modified trombone, spreader bar, etc).
A partial
list of those who would use Nordic Touring (stand-up) methods includes:
persons with cerebral palsy, blind/visually impaired, traumatic brain
injury, etc.
Nordic Touring (sit down skiers)
Instructional progressions are used for
those individuals (a) who use a wheelchair as their primary means of
mobility, (b) who have strong upper extremities and good torso/trunk
balance, and/or (c) who switch or split scheduled nordic skiing time
between stand up and sitting methods because they may or may not be able
to nordic ski for prolonged periods of time standing up(ie. low level
paraplegics/MS). The nordic sit ski is state-of-the-art technology - it
consists of a lightweight metal, and/or fiberglass seat that the skier
sits in. The seat, with restraining straps for the torso and legs, is
attached to two full length nordic skis. The Nordic sit-skier generally
uses two short poles to help push through the snow. Persons who ski in
the Nordic sit-ski may from time to time have an instructor skiing in
front with a harness to help pull the ski in difficult terrain.
A partial
list of those who would use Nordic sit-ski methods includes: persons with
lower extremity amputations, spinal cord injury (paraplegic), spina
bifida, traumatic head injury, cerebral palsy, etc.
