Hockey

Physiology of hockey

Hockey is one of the more enjoyable and entertaining sports to watch . . . and one of the more challenging to play. It combines the speed and endurance of indoor soccer with the physicality of football with the stickhandling of lacrosse with the power and finesse of skating, all on a sheet of ice.

According to a 2007 study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, leg power is one of the single best predictors of success in hockey (and perhaps the most frequently tested by NHL scouts). In fact, leg power accounts for nearly 25% of a player’s NHL Draft position (with the other 75% divided amongst other variables, such as “agility, endurance, fine motor control, motivation, spatial awareness, and game sense.”

So how do hockey players develop this power? While on ice conditioning is important, an off-ice program that incorporates explosive, hockey-specific exercises should be considered essential. Two of the most common forms of explosive exercises are plyometrics (link to OSPT Jump Training page) and certain weight training movements.

The plyometric exercises most appropriate for hockey players, however, are quite different than for those of other sports. With athletes that sprint and jump in their sports, they are able to store extra energy when they perform their movements. Because of the ice and because of how they move (lateral push offs), hockey players are unable to store that same energy. Therefore, the plyometrics a hockey player needs are quite different from those a soccer or basketball player require.

Common hockey injuries

With the large number of players (approximately 500,000 and 250,000 youth players in Canada and the United States, respectively) and the nature of the game, hockey injuries are common. Below are statistics on hockey injuries:

• Forwards tend to sustain more injuries than goalies and defensive players.
• More injuries occur during games than practices
• There does not appear to be a significant difference of when injuries occur during the game; that is, there are as many injuries during the first period as the second as the third.
• More than half of all injuries occur as a result of a collision with an opponent or the boards.
• Concussions account for nearly 20% of all injuries
• In the knee, medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries are quite common (second most common game injury)
• So-called “high ankle sprains” are also common, possibly because of the higher position of the hockey skate blade and high speeds/direction changes; these injuries are often related to “catching a rut” in the ice with the skate blade
• While body checking is not allowed for women, injury rates for females are similar to that of males
• Because of the high number of collision-related injuries, there is a push by both the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine and American Academy of
• Pediatrics to ban body checking for all recreational levels, only allowing it at either 13 (Canada) or 15 (USA) years old.

Teams we’ve worked with:

• New York Rangers
• University of Nebraska-Omaha
• Omaha Lancers
• Omaha AAA Hockey Club

Testimonials

My leg was broken November 9, 2006 during an ice hockey practice. I was in a full leg cast for about 5-weeks.  The cast was removed on December 12 and I started my physical therapy at OSPT with David Potach and his staff December 15. I was uncomfortable and nervous at first but everyone made me feel at ease. David’s knowledge, rehab practices and motivation helped me get back on the ice and playing in a tournament on January 13, 2007.  I highly recommend Omaha Sports Physical Therapy to help you recover from your injuries. Thanks for everything David!

-Ian