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The Ski
Guidelines for SWNH are that no races should be held outdoors
if the temperature is -10 Celcius (14 F) because of the long term potential
for injury. Practices may be held, but at a low level of intensity.
Refer to the below article from
www.fasterskier.com
for additional information and guidelines.
Translated By
Torbjorn Karlsen
Wed Nov 03, 2004
The cold weather guideline for children decided by the
Norwegian Ski Federation (NSF) is currently being heavily
criticized. Experts are claiming that it’s irresponsible and
is putting thousands of children at risk.
"Craziness," says Professor Ulf Aaseboe, chief physician of
the pulmonology department at the University hospital of
North Norway about NSF’s cold weather guide for skiers under
15-years old. Today it’s set at -15 Celsius (5 F).
Asthma problems
- I think it’s irresponsible to organize energy demanding
ski races for children if it’s below -10 Celsius, says
Aaseboe in a recent interview with radio station P4. Lots
have been written about elite skiers developing asthma as a
result of hard training and racing in extreme cold
conditions. Almost 40 percent of all Norwegian adult (elite)
skiers have asthma. The percentage for the average
population is seven.
– This says something about this craziness. You can only
wonder how many that has developed asthma as a result of
competitions in cold weather, but who you never hear about,
says Aaseboe – and is among others thinking of children and
young skiers that’s not included in the statistics.
Probably not scientifically based
Aaseboe is convinced that NSF doesn’t have any
scientifically proven background for their cold weather
guideline for children.
- No, I can’t imagine that they have that. Children’s lungs
are more sensitive than adults, says Aaseboe and warn
parents about sending their children to ski races when it’s
getting too cold.
- I would at least not let my children race when it’s colder
than -10 Celsius, says the professor.
Support from the “ski-physician”
He is supported by NSF’s own chief physician Ingar Lerheim.
- We suggested already 20 years ago that they should change
the cold weather guideline for children to -12 Celsius. This
might with today’s knowledge still be too cold, says Lerheim
to P4.
He supports Aaseboe’s claim that the ski federation is
gambling with children’s health.
- It can have years of consequences for children if they are
exposed to this type of racing.
The experts are united, the rule should be changed, says
Lerheim.
- The injuries can last a lifetime. The children’s air-ways
than be greatly damaged, warns Aaseboe.
Won’t change the guideline
Roughly 50,000 Norwegian children under 15-years old compete
in cross country skiing every winter. Department chief in
NSF, Per Nymoen is not immediately willing to agree that the
guideline should be changed.
- We are aware of the medical expert’s recommendations. But,
we have many factors to consider. We have to among others
look at how many races we want to be held in Norway every
year. Changing the cold weather rule for children up, means
more cancellations, says Nymoen.
Many are stretching the guidelines
– But isn’t the health of the children the most important?
Yes, you can say it that way, but even if the physicians are
recommending a different guideline than ours, we haven’t
experienced that today’s guidelines are a problem. It might
sound a little cocky, but you can say that we are
participating in an out-door sport and you can’t guarantee
yourself against everything.
It’s a known fact that some race organizers in Norway
manipulate the temperatures when it’s borderline. The
measuring are supposed to be done at the coldest point of
the course, but moving and warming up the thermometer has
been used to end up on the allowed -15 Celsius.
– We know that certain organizers are running the races for
children when it’s colder than -15C on the entire course,
and we dislike this a lot, said Nymoen.
He admits that the cold weather guideline has not been
discussed seriously since it was decided more than 20 years
ago, but that the guidelines for adults are discussed every
year.
- We will however of course discuss and consider a united
and good suggestion from the experts, said Nymoen to P4
Source: Langrenn.com
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