Ice Hockey Injury Prevention
Injury prevention strategies are very similar in most sports, although variations relating to protective equipment and conditioning will be present. The following is a simple guide to help you to avoid injury:
Warm-up
A warm-up is a vital part of injury prevention in every sport. It also helps to prepare you mentally and physcially. Warm-ups should get the heart rate up to increase the flow of blood around the body, in preparation for more strenous activity. It should also warm and stretch the muscles to ensure they are working to their optimum and do not sustain an injury due to being cold and inflexible.
A warm-up should consist of a minimum of 5 minutes cardio, pulse-raising exercise such as jogging, cycling, skipping etc. This should be followed by dynamic stretches. These have more recently replaced the use of static stretches. They include drills such as running with high knees, heels to bum and cariocas. This should be performed for a minimum of 5 minutes, up to a maximum of 20 minutes, with movements gradually becoming larger and faster. This is preferable to static stretching as it keeps the body warmer and heart rate higher, and more resembles the type of movements which are required in most sports.
Protection
Wearing the right kind of protective equipment is vital to avoiding injury in ice hockey. Padding is worn on most parts of the body, as well as a helmet and gloves
Abiding by the Rules
It is not uncommon in sports such as ice hockey for fighting to break out and foul play to be committed. Estimations have shown that up to 1/3rd of injuries occur during behaviour which is outside of the rules of the game!
Rest
Resting is an important part of any athletes training program! Physiological changes within the cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular systems in our bodies, occur when we are at rest. Overtraining often results in injuries due to fatigue causing poor technique and overuse type injuries. If you feel at all unwell, tired or in pain, you should rest until better.
Training
In order to play in the higher levels of any sport, training is vitally important. Training not only the cardiovascular and muscular systems but also techniques and tactics are required to make sure the body is strong, coordinated and flexible as well as the mind being prepared and focused to name but a few.
Nutrition and Hydration
Proper nutrition is important. A bad diet will prevent you from recovering from training sessions making you more prone to injury. A balanced diet is what you should aim for:
Carbohydrate is important for refueling muscles
Protein rebuilds muscles
If you become dehydrated then less blood will flow through muscles. The muscles will be more prone to injury
Vitamins and minerals are required for a number of reasons related to recovery
Much of what is discussed above should be part of your sporting routine. A biomechanical analysis can help identify possible injury risks. Orthotic devices can help. Also an assessment from a sports therapist or specialist can identify weak areas and possible injury risks. A course of exercises specific to your needs can give you the best chance of avoiding injury.
