Strength and conditioning practices of National Hockey League strength and conditioning coaches. J Strength Cond Res 2004 Nov;18(4):889-97
Date
12/03/2004Pubmed ID
15574099DOI
10.1519/14133.1Scopus ID
2-s2.0-10344228313 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 166 CitationsAbstract
This study describes the results of a survey of the practices of National Hockey League strength and conditioning (NHL S&C) coaches. The response rate was 76.6% (23 of 30). This survey examines (a) background information, (b) physical testing, (c) flexibility development, (d) speed development, (e) plyometrics, (f) strength/power development, (g) unique aspects, and (h) comments. Results indicate, in part, that coaches assess an average of 7.2 parameters of fitness, with tests of strength and power being the most common. All coaches used a variety of flexibility-development strategies. Results reveal that 21 of 23 (91.3%) of NHL S&C coaches follow a periodization model (PM). Of the coaches who follow a PM, 21 of 21 (100%) indicated that their athletes used Olympic-style lifts, and 21 of 21 coaches (100%) trained athletes with plyometric exercises. For those who used plyometrics with their athletes, 17 of 21 (80.1%) reported no plyometric-related injuries in the past year. Coaches who report they did not follow a PM also did not use Olympic-style lifts, plyometrics, or speed development strategies, such as assisted, resisted, or interval training, with their athletes. Finally, coaches reported that the squat and their variations, as well at the Olympic-style lifts and its variations, were most frequently used with their athletes. The survey serves as a review, as well as a source of applied information and new ideas.
Author List
Ebben WP, Carroll RM, Simenz CJAuthors
Christopher Simenz PhD Clinical Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette UniversityChristopher J. Simenz PhD Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
HockeyHumans
Physical Education and Training
Pliability
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States