Core Daily
Play Better
The New Way to Train for Hockey
Jakob Fannar from flickr.com
Conditioning for hockey has changed dramatically during the past few years. Peter Twist, one of Canada's leading strength and conditioning coaches, describes those changes in his new book, Complete Conditioning for Hockey, published by Human Kinetics Publishers. Following is an outline of what Twist refers to as "Previous Conditioning Plans" compared to "Modern Conditioning Plans." Most of the conditioning principles apply to other high-intensity, stop-and-go sports.
Fitness
Old: Emphasize aerobic cardiovascular fitness.
New: Emphasize anaerobic fitness.
Testing
Old: Use VO2max testing.
New: Use anaerobic and on-ice testing.
Movement Direction
Old: Focus on linear movement, bike, and track training.
New: Incorporate unpredictable, multidirectional intervals.
Warm-up Activities
Old: Feature stationary warm-up activities.
New: Feature dynamic warm-up activities.
Stretching
Old: Include forced, pre-ice stretching.
New: Include gentle, post-ice stretching.
Strength Training
Old: Feature machine-based strength training.
New: Feature whole-body, integrated lifts.
Tempo
Old: Include slow tempo isolation exercises to overload muscles.
New: Include multi-joint, multiplanar lifts for explosive power.
Core Stabilization
Old: Include traditional sit-ups and floor-based stabilization
New: Include standing core stabilization and exercises for rotary power.
Speed, Agility, Balance
Old: Develop linear speed.
New: Improve deceleration and coupling between deceleration and first-step quickness.
New: Develop specific movement skills that link together for agility.
New: Include exercises that develop integrated balance for strength and transitional balance for change of direction.
New: Feature whole-body reaction skills and joint and muscle reactivity.
The information above is reprinted and adapted with permission from Human Kinetics Publishers, Champaign, IL.
Hockey Training Programs
About The Author
Jim Brown – As a contributing writer for CorePerformance.com, Dr. Jim Brown draws on his knowledge and experience in health, medicine and sports.
