Why Ice Hockey Players Have Strong Backs

It's fall. So, it is ice hockey season. Many people think that hockey players need to be burly looking, muscle bound athletes. You know...like football players.

But, they do not.

There is not a lot of talk about the backs of hockey players. One of the best college hockey players is only 5'9" 160 pounds. However, the largest professional player is 6'9",  255lbs. So, the girths range in this sport. It is particularly due to the nature of the sport. An ice hockey player needs strong legs. Very strong legs. He or she also needs a strong upper body. But, a more mobile upper body that can shoot, move when skating, ward off a defender, and push off. The nature of the sport is fast. Everyone. Is. Always. Moving. Plays also go on for  longer periods of time. But, what about the backs of hockey players?

We have strong backs. Well, look at the motion of skating. Their is a lot of drive I the shoulders and elbows move like a sprinter. The back of a sprinter looks strong. In addition, hockey players carry a stick. Try carrying a load in front of you then drive your arms back and forth. Your shoulders burn. Here's a another one. Bend over at the hips, keeping your back straight. Now, punch alternating arms as if you are punching a hole into the ground. Your abs start to burn. Your back goes through a good range of movement. Take a look at the slapshot, the wrist shot, and the snap shot. Sure, there is a lot of stability involved in the lower body. As a player loads and releases his or her shot, there is rotation, flexion, and extension (not in that order, per se). So, the torso is specifically active!

What is being said? Well, the hockey player's regimen could be adopted but at a lower intensity, of course. With the bulk of the holiday season arriving shortly, you will want a strong back (rows, pulls, pull-ups, rotation exercises, isometrics, floor core stability exercises such as planks, spidermans, skydivers, swimmer skydivers, and more).

Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS         www.teempt.com         TEEM Performance Training