Hockey

This sport requires a high rate of aerobic, speed and strength based fi tness thanks to the introduction of smoother turf surfaces which increase the ball speed dramatically. Good hockey players have natural accelerative speed. They can move to the ball in record time and can change position quickly. It requires strong core (hip/belly) strength to hit a ball when the body may be off balance and players can develop a number of bone stress injuries.

High level players are required to build running endurance during pre-season training
and they often get overuse type injuries before the season starts.

• Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
• Shin Stress Fracture
• Patella Tendinopathy
• Calf Strain
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Severs syndrome (in younger players)

One of the Black Sticks had a Calf tear in the middle of the season, and this is how we managed his injury in time for the 2008 Olympics.