Skydiving is an extreme sport. However, there are physical conditions that can limit one from participating in it. Here are some of them.
Obesity
Being obese might not necessarily mean being unfit. However, skydiving, like with anything aviation, considers the weight of what goes into the sky. The safety of things that go up into the sky is based on their ability to convey a certain amount of mass around the sky. The parachutes are not built to carry so much weight.
Heart Conditions
Skydiving is not for people with one cardiovascular problem or the other. This is because skydiving is an activity that can elevate the heart rate steeply and quickly. The adrenaline rush before and during the jump can increase the heartbeat to about 140 beats per minute. A person with a heart condition or high blood pressure may not survive this.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a sudden internal or external spinning sensation triggered by moving one’s head too quickly. Skydiving could trigger a vertigo episode in persons with a history of vertigo during dynamic movement.
Bad Back
A tandem skydive is usually gentle in the back. However, this is not the case with a person suffering from a bad back.
The ideal body position for a free fall, especially during tandem skydiving, is to be in a curved or “arched” position. To achieve this position, one must bend the lower back and push the hips forward. This puts some pressure on the lower back. For someone with a bad back or fused spines, the pain could be excruciating when landing.
Sports are generally regarded as activities that aim to improve health but for extreme sports like skydiving, one has to be in good shape to engage in it.
This blog provides vital information on skydiving. Feel free to ask questions, make suggestions and inquiries on anything skydiving.