ATHLETE’S EDGE
Sports Medicine Education and Information for Waterloo Region
Sports Massage and the Hockey Athlete
by Jayne Cummings, RMT
There are certain types of injuries that we associate with hockey players. Groin, low back and abdominal/core injuries make up
a large portion of hockey injuries that sport massage therapists treat. The majority of these injuries are a result of either weak,
or shortened muscles in the core area.
The primary motions in skating are hip flexion (bringing the knee towards the chest), hip extension (extending the leg behind
you) as well as external rotation through the low back and core. The iliopsoas and quadriceps muscles perform hip flexion and
rotation, the gluteus maximus and hamstrings perform hip extension, and your abdominal muscles both stabilize and create
the rotary movements.
As a hockey player the most important muscles are the “hockey muscles” mentioned above. Hockey is a sport that is played
approximately 80% of the time on one leg. While skating you get the majority of your power from one leg and then the other.
The lead leg is supporting all of your weight, while the trail leg extends out and back, pushing you forward. If that lead leg
cannot hold your body weight for an extended period of time, your stride will become shorter. If your stride becomes shorter,
you become a slower, less efficient skater. Similarly, if your hip flexors or hip extensors are tight, you won’t get full extension
or leg lift which will also affect your skating stride, length and power.
Massage can improve performance on the ice!
Regular sport massage can help prevent muscle injuries, boost
performance and extend the life of your hockey career – but how and
why?
Stretching – Massage can stretch bundles of muscle fibres
lengthwise as well as sideways. Massage can also stretch the sheath
of fascia that surrounds the muscle, thus releasing tension.
Increased tissue permeability – Deep massage causes
muscle tissue membranes to open, enabling fluids to pass through.
This helps remove lactic acid, which helps muscles recover quicker.
Improve tissue elasticity – Hard training can make tissue hard
and inelastic. Massage helps reverse this by stretching the tissue.
Break down scar tissue – Scar tissue can affect muscle tendons
and ligaments. This can lead to inflexible tissues that are prone to
injury and pain.
A therapist trained in sports massage will be able to assess the muscle
length, pliability and strength of the “hockey muscles” and identify
areas that need attention. Keeping muscles operating at their optimal length and strength not only improves performance, but
can lead to an injury free season.
Remember: Being proactive and including massage as part of your regular training can
provide huge benefits when it comes to performance and preventing injury.
WS
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WS
at RIM park
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WATERLOO SPORTS MEDICINE CENTRE
WATERLOO SPORTS MEDICINE CENTRE
University Square Plaza
65 University Ave. E. Unit 12, Waterloo
tel: 519-746-2220
fax: 519-746-2295
email: [email protected]
RIM Park (Manulife Financial Sportsplex)
2001 University Ave. E. Unit 104, Waterloo
tel: 519-885-5684
fax: 519-885-6123
email: [email protected]