Hockey injuries are an unfortunate reality for everyone playing the game. The rehabilitation process can be a very physically and mentally daunting task for an athlete. As a strength and conditioning coach, my role includes supporting physiotherapists and teams doctors in the athletes journey back into competition. From the initial stage of the injury right up until the athlete returns to play, and beyond, I will work day in and day out with the athlete.
During the initial stage of rehabilitation, and depending on the extent of the injury, the athlete may be extremely limited in their ability to do any training. Once they’ve been given the green light from the medical staff, I work with athletes to ensure that all areas of the body that aren’t the focal point of the injury, are continuously being strengthened. This is can be work such as maintaining or even improving the athletes anaerobic and aerobic capacity, or working on areas that we’ve determine to be weak.
My direct role with functional rehabilitation takes on a greater capacity once the athlete has began to move into the mid stage and later stage of rehabilitation. This is when I will start working to improve specific strength and range of motion related to the area that has been compromised. For concussion rehab, this would be monitoring the athletes vitals during various work loads. Eventually we will get into full training sessions that will give both the athlete and the medical staff the confidence to clear the athlete for returning to on ice training.
Working on ice with athletes during their functional rehabilitation process can be exciting for the athlete. However, it must be done with a considerable amount of care and attention. During this on ice rehabilitation work, I would implement a methodical process of working on every basic component of skating and working our way up to complex movements and drills. My on ice abilities are very advanced, so I enjoy working side by side with the athlete to help motivate and increase their confidence before they return to practice with the team.
Every athlete has injuries that I must consider when I train them. Sports injury is an area that I’ve taken many classes in during university and I pride myself in the additional education and research I put into this area of studies on a weekly basis. There’s a lot for me to learn about sports injuries, but my knowledge and desire to continue learning alongside professionals will help my own practices and improve the chances for all athletes to make quick and complete recoveries as well, preventing injuries!
