FasterSkier · November 2, 2004
The cold weather guideline for children decided by the Norwegian Ski Federation (NSF) is currently being heavily criticized. Experts are claiming that it’s irresponsible and is putting thousands of children at risk.Â
“Craziness,” says Professor Ulf Aaseboe, chief physician of the pulmonology department at the University hospital of North Norway about NSF’s cold weather guide for skiers under 15-years old. Today it’s set at -15 Celsius (5 F).
Support from the “ski-physicianâ€
He is supported by NSF’s own chief physician Ingar Lerheim.
 – We suggested already 20 years ago that they should change the cold weather guideline for children to -12 Celsius. This might with today’s knowledge still be too cold, says Lerheim to P4.
He supports Aaseboe’s claim that the ski federation is gambling with children’s health.
– It can have years of consequences for children if they are exposed to this type of racing.
The experts are united, the rule should be changed, says Lerheim.
– The injuries can last a lifetime. The children’s air-ways than be greatly damaged, warns Aaseboe.
Won’t change the guideline
Roughly 50,000 Norwegian children under 15-years old compete in cross country skiing every winter. Department chief in NSF, Per Nymoen is not immediately willing to agree that the guideline should be changed.
– We are aware of the medical expert’s recommendations. But, we have many factors to consider. We have to among others look at how many races we want to be held in Norway every year. Changing the cold weather rule for children up, means more cancellations, says Nymoen.
Many are stretching the guidelines
— But isn’t the health of the children the most important? Yes, you can say it that way, but even if the physicians are recommending a different guideline than ours, we haven’t experienced that today’s guidelines are a problem. It might sound a little cocky, but you can say that we are participating in an out-door sport and you can’t guarantee yourself against everything.
It’s a known fact that some race organizers in Norway manipulate the temperatures when it’s borderline. The measuring are supposed to be done at the coldest point of the course, but moving and warming up the thermometer has been used to end up on the allowed -15 Celsius.
— We know that certain organizers are running the races for children when it’s colder than -15C on the entire course, and we dislike this a lot, said Nymoen.
He admits that the cold weather guideline has not been discussed seriously since it was decided more than 20 years ago, but that the guidelines for adults are discussed every year.
– We will however of course discuss and consider a united and good suggestion from the experts, said Nymoen to P4
 skiers have asthma. The percentage for the average population is seven.</p><p> — This says something about this craziness. You can only wonder how many that has developed asthma as a result of competitions in cold weather, but who you never hear about, says Aaseboe — and is among others thinking of children and young skiers that’s not included in the statistics. </p><p> Probably not scientifically based</p><p> Aaseboe is convinced that NSF doesn’t have any scientifically proven background for their cold weather guideline for children.</p><p> – No, I can’t imagine that they have that. Children’s lungs are more sensitive than adults, says Aaseboe and warn parents about sending their children to ski races when it’s getting too cold.</p><p> – I would at least not let my children race when it’s colder than -10 Celsius, says the professor.</p></div><div class=)