Abstract
Cross-country skiing, one of the oldest forms of skiing, is enjoyed widely as a recreational
activity and as a competitive sport. It is practiced in regions with snow-covered
landscapes, particularly in the Nordic countries and with increasing popularity in
non-Nordic countries of Europe as well as in the United States, Canada, Australia,
and New Zealand, among others. Cross-country skiing is a fairly safe activity, and
historically the risk of injury has been relatively low. However, advances in equipment
development, together with increasing speeds, more demanding trails, and growing numbers
of participants, have all contributed to a larger report of injuries, although still
comparatively low versus other skiing modalities. Injuries in cross-country skiing
can occur either after a single traumatic event or in the setting of chronic repetitive
microtrauma (i.e., overuse injuries).
Keywords
cross-country - skiing - musculoskeletal - injury - trauma
