Do the same abilities allow a person to run and ice skate fast?

Question

Do the same abilities allow a person to run and ice skate fast?

Answer 1

no everybody is differnet and has different techniques. you just have to work at it and try your best (practice makes perfect)!

Answer 2

No, but running helps to build some of the muscles associated with ice skating. (does nothing for balance)

Answer 3

My guess is: no.

Running is mainly an up and down motion with the side-to-side muscles used mainly for stability. Skating is more about pushing to the side, at least as far as generating forward-motion speed.  My assessment is that the muscle development is not similar.

Also, the best runners also tend to be very light and slim while the best long track speed skaters are very muscular in the legs (short track speed skaters are more lithe and scrappy). So if you're "cut out" to be a runner, you might not be a very good speed skater... not enough muscle mass... or you might, depending on which type of speed skating you are doing.

So if you are a runner, you're not automatically going to be a fast speed skater. Your muscles might not be properly developed and your body type might not be right.

On the other hand, if you are a speed skater then running might not be a bad cross-training exercise for times when you absolutely cannot skate, though honestly, for ice speed skaters, inline road training is probably a better activity and easier on your joints. Both running and speed skating are fantastic cardio exercises, so to that end, you can't go wrong.

Answer 4

Skating uses a lot of abductors and adductors (inner/outer thigh muscles).  

I don't really know much about runners, but I know my husband, who likes to bike long-distance, isn't that great a skater even though he's in great shape with strong legs.  He just doesn't ever do those side movements, so he can't even do something like a simple swizzle with any power.

Answer 5

Your muscles are either fast twitch muscles or slow twitch muscles.  Fast twitch muscles helps one to run fast, and slow twitch muscles help one to run long distances faster then a person with fast twitch muscles.  Most people will have a combination in their bodies.  But if you have more then one over the other, then that will be the deciding factor as to whether you are a sprinter or better at long distances.

Answer 6

I've always been curious about this.  I think that having strong leg muscles will allow you to do both of these fairly fast, but I really don't know the answer.  When I skate I can do sprints, like once around the rink, pretty fast, but when it comes to skating for a while, like doing a program or other endurance stuff, I start to get tired.  It's basically the same with running.  I can run very fast for a short distance, but when it comes to running a mile I just can't keep up my speed.