SAFEPARTICIPATION
SAFE PARTICIPATION IN SLIDING SPORTS
At Alberta Bobsleigh Association (ABA), athlete safety and long-term development are central to everything we do. Sliding sports (luge, skeleton, and bobsleigh), albeit very exciting and exhilarating, place unique demands on the body and mind. We are very committed to fostering a safe, structured development pathway into and from these sport disciplines through targeted education, comprehensive screening, and developmentally appropriate programming led by highly qualified coaches.
1. THE NATURE OF SLIDING SPORTS AND BOBSLEIGH AS A LATE-ENTRY SPORT
Bobsleigh is typically a late-entry or late-specialization sport, often attracting athletes in their late teens or twenties who already possess a robust athletic foundation through development and participation in other sports (e.g. football, rugby, track). This attraction/recruitment strategy is intentionally built into the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) framework for sliding sports to ensure safe participation and long-term success (https://www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca/files/5Sliding_Sport_LTAD_EN.pdf).
The sport of bobsleigh behooves intense physical training to effectively sprint, push and control very heavy sleds on ice, and endure high g-forces—in some cases, up to 5Gs—which can place significant strain on the body (notably the neck and core) and nervous system. When an athlete is still growing and developing, this type of strain can have a more pronounced impact on health and wellness. A physically mature body with a solid foundation of athletic development (overall coordination, structural tolerance/musculoskeletal resilience) is better suited to tolerating these demands.
2. EARLY FOUNDATIONS THROUGH OTHER SLIDING DISCIPLINES
Within the LTAD framework, early stages like FUNdamentals, Learn to Train, and Train to Train are ideal for exposing younger athletes (ages ~8–15) to sliding sports—particularly luge and skeleton—in a low-risk, skill-building environment. Luge, with its controlled supine sliding position, provides a gentler introduction to sliding technique and its demands, and exposure to sliding tracks. Skeleton, introduced later, entails prone sliding and further requires that the athlete be more structurally stable and develops greater overall body awareness and control before advancing to bobsleigh.
Outside of the talent transfer opportunities from other sports to bobsleigh (most common entry strategy), the LTAD framework envisions an athlete transitioning through stages of sliding to eventually participate in bobsleigh, should that be of interest. This process would typically start with luge in late childhood or early adolescence, moving into skeleton as the athlete matures, and finally entering bobsleigh once they are physically and mentally more robust—typically in their late teens, early twenties, or older.
3. BUILDING THE ATHLETE: DRYLAND PROGRAMMING AND SCREENING
Before sliding, proper preparation through complementary sports is crucial. Dryland training should focus on:
- Sprinting and explosive power (start technique)
- Push mechanics and leverage
- Core, neck, upper body, and leg strength
- Flexibility, coordination, and proprioception
We recommend formal physical assessments to determine structural readiness, muscular control, and neurological development. This ensures athletes undertaking sliding sports have the resilience to safely manage both training and on-ice stresses.
4. PARENT-FOCUSED GUIDANCE
Why your child may not start bobsleigh right away—and why that is a very good thing:
- Safety Through Maturity: As noted, early specialization in bobsleigh is not recommended due to the physical maturity, athletic development and overall robustness needed to safely manage the stresses of sliding. Instead, gradual exposure through luge, skeleton, and introductory bobsleigh-related activities in controlled settings, and programs that focus on general athletic development prepares athletes safely.
- Purposeful Athletic Progression: Cultivating versatile athleticism through other sports builds transferable skills in speed, coordination, and strength that support sliding sports later.
- Supporting Readiness Over Rush: When timing aligns—with physiological maturity, physical readiness, and desire—your child will be better equipped to enjoy sliding sports.
5. CORE PRINCIPLES OF SLIDING SUCCESS (FROM LTAD)
- Start Mastery Matters: The push-start is critical—0.1 seconds at the start can become 0.3 seconds at the finish.
- Resilience Is Key: Enduring high g-forces, impacts, and vibration requires strength across the neck, core, and all major muscle groups.
- Decision-Making & Feel: Sliding sports demand split-second decisions and intuitive control, honed through progressive exposure.
6. ENCOURAGING SAFE AND FUN SPORT DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS
- Start with Movement & Play: Early stages should emphasize general athleticism and playful engagement.
- Support Multi-Sport Development: Multi-sport participation builds physical literacy and reduces injury risk.
- Follow the LTAD Pathway: FUNdamentals → Learn to Train → Train to Train → Train to Compete → Train to Win → Active for Life. Bobsleigh participation is typically optimized during or after the Train to Compete stage.
Sliding sports are thrilling, rewarding, and unique—but they are also very demanding. By respecting the developmental journey, prioritizing safety, and leveraging progressive programming, we help ensure athletes not only perform well but stay healthy and enjoy their journey for years to come. Families that support staged entry—starting with fun movement, building through fundamental skills, and gradually advancing toward bobsleigh—are setting their children up for long-term success and lifelong athletic engagement.