Return to Hockey

The taste of cold, crisp air, the sounds of skates cutting into ice and pucks against boards...the smell of hockey gear?!

Many of our youth athletes returned to the ice this month with great joy and enthusiasm. For many it has been the longest they have been off their skates since they were mini-mites!!

There are many benefits to this, including recovering from nagging overuse injuries, mental and physical rest, and of course that feeling of "missing the game", which will only increase their love for it!

But, as these athletes return to the ice, we should also make sure to take some precautions so that it is done safely.

We @accelsportsmn often get questions about how to ramp up activity/exercise/sport and hockey is a big one. Here are some tips:

1. Don't overdo it early on and try to make up for "lost time". Everyone else is in the same boat as you; take it slow!

2. Increase one training variable at a time:

Frequency = how often are you skating?

Duration = how long are you on the ice?

Intensity = how hard are you pushing?

A recipe for injury is increasing all 3 variables at once in large increments. Go slow, adjusting only one of these per session when able.

4. Make sure your young athletes gear still fits correctly! They have probably grown some since they were last on the ice, so double check to make sure they are in the right gear!

5. Most importantly...have fun! Enjoy just skating again, being with teammates and coaches and playing the game you love in the state of hockey!

As always if you or anyone you know has questions or concerns we are here to help! Give us a call or click the link in our bio for a free phone consultation. We offer in-clinic and telehealth appointments for your convenience.