What is Inline Speed Skating?

Inline speed skating is the roller sport of racing on inline skates, similar to ice speed skating. Speed skating training requires dedication, persistence, and the right equipment! The sport requires a special technique in which athletes take deep and fast strokes. Having good balance and agility is a very important for speed skates to train and practice stay low to the ground for sharp turns.

Speed skating equipment includes skates, helmets, and comfortable apparel. The most important item are of course the skates, designed with a custom fit for each athlete. The skates are molded to each foot and sit below the ankle to allow for mobility. Many times the use of these skates causes discomfort and injury for the athletes. Blisters, ankle soreness, and shin splints are side effects. One beneficial accessory that inline speed skaters can use is compression leg sleeves. Because of the quick movements speed skates make, the impact to their legs causes shin splints. Therefore, speed skaters wear compression sleeves to help prevent and recover from shin splints.  A huge benefit for inline speed skaters is that they can wear the compression leg sleeves in addition to the sock they choose to wear with their skates. Athletes, like Nathan Jackson of the US Inline Speed Skating World Team, wear compression for racing and competition in order to relieve shin splint pain.