Skaters should achieve the "triple extension" stance at the end of their stride, fully extending the hip, knee, and ankle joints. This extension increases stride length and propulsion. Maximum force exertion through the legs is crucial for achieving the greatest extension possible.
The importance of this triple extension lies in its role in propelling the skater forward. It involves the gluteal muscles through hip extension, the quadriceps through knee extension, and the calf muscles through ankle extension. This coordination of muscle groups results in a stronger push-off, enhancing speed and agility on the ice. Skaters with faster speeds exhibit more pronounced extensions and a forceful toe push-off, contributing to an efficient and powerful skating technique.
Article Index:
Anatomy & Biomechanics
Hip Extensors
In the terminal stride phase of a hockey player's movement, the hip extensors, predominantly the gluteus maximus, are biomechanically crucial for hip joint extension. This extension is essential for the kinetic chain involved in propelling the body forward with maximal power and biomechanical efficiency.
During this phase, the hip extensors engage in a posterior kinetic chain action, facilitating the backward propulsion of the leg. This action is instrumental in optimizing the stride's length and force generation capabilities. A deficiency in the strength or functional integrity of these muscles, due to factors such as injury, fatigue, or muscular imbalances, can impede the player's ability to achieve complete hip extension. Such a biomechanical limitation can adversely affect stride mechanics, leading to a reduction in stride length and a diminished capacity to generate the requisite force for effective forward propulsion.
Ankle Plantar Flexors
The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, key components of the ankle plantar flexors, play a pivotal biomechanical role in the final push-off phase of a stride. These muscles execute plantar flexion at the ankle joint, characterized by downward toe pointing and exerting force against the ice.
They are critical for momentum and speed generation, leveraging the ice as a reactive force platform for forward propulsion. A compromise in the ankle plantar flexors, due to factors such as muscular weakness or injury, can impede the effectiveness of this final push-off, leading to a decrease in both stride length and velocity.
Both the hip extensors and ankle plantar flexors are integral to the terminal phase of a hockey player's stride. The hip extensors enhance stride power and length through hip joint extension, while the ankle plantar flexors facilitate the crucial final push-off for speed generation. Optimal functioning and strength of these muscle groups are paramount for peak performance in skating biomechanics.
Motion Specific Release (MSR)
Hockey Biomechanics Part 4: Terminal Stride
Dr. Abelson demonstrates MSR procedures used to release restrictions, helping to improve AROM, address muscle imbalances and improve overall performance.
Conclusion - MSR Part 4: Terminal Stride
In conclusion, the biomechanical analysis of a hockey player's stride underscores the essential roles of both hip extensors and ankle plantar flexors. The "triple extension" stance, involving full extension of the hip, knee, and ankle joints, is paramount in enhancing stride length and propulsion. This technique, which involves a coordinated effort of the gluteal, quadriceps, and calf muscles, results in a powerful push-off that significantly boosts speed and agility on the ice. It is evident that skaters achieving higher speeds are those who master this extension and exert maximum force in their stride.
Furthermore, the hip extensors, especially the gluteus maximus, play a critical role in hip joint extension, contributing to the kinetic chain required for effective forward propulsion. Simultaneously, the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in the ankle plantar flexors are vital for the final push-off phase. This complex interplay of muscle groups and joint mechanics not only accentuates the importance of muscular strength and integrity for optimal skating performance but also highlights the potential impact of muscular weaknesses or injuries.
References
Abelson, B., Abelson, K., & Mylonas, E. (2018, February). A Practitioner's Guide to Motion Specific Release, Functional, Successful, Easy to Implement Techniques for Musculoskeletal Injuries (1st edition). Rowan Tree Books.
Bracko, M. R., Fellingham, G. W., Hall, L. T., Fisher, A. G., & Cryer, W. (1998). Performance skating characteristics of professional ice hockey forwards. Sports Medicine, Training and Rehabilitation, 8, 251–263.
Chau, E. G., Sim, F. H., Stauffer, R. N., & Johannson, K. G. (1973). Mechanics of ice hockey injuries. In Bleustein J. L. (Ed.), American Society of Mechanical Engineers: Mechanics and Sport.
Hay, J. G. (1993). In The biomechanics of sports techniques (4th ed.). Prentice-Hall.
Lafontaine, D., & Lamontagne, M. (2003). 3-D Kinematics Using Moving Cameras. Part 1: Development and Validation of the Mobile Data Acquisition System. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 19, 4.
Manners, T. W. (2004). Sport-Specific Training for Ice Hockey. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 26, 16–21.
Montgomery, D. L., Nobes, K., Pearsall, D. J., & Turcotte, R. A. (2004). Task analysis (hitting, shooting, passing and skating) of professional hockey players. ASTM Special Technical Publication.
Nobes, K. J., Montgomery, D. L., Pearsall, D. J., Turcotte, R. A., Lefebvre, R., & Whittom, F. (2003). A Comparison of Skating Economy on-Ice and on the Skating Treadmill. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 28, 1–11.
Post, A., Oeur, A., Hoshizaki, T. B., & Gilchrist, M. D. (2011). Examination of the relationship of peak linear and angular acceleration to brain deformation metrics in hockey helmet impacts. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 16, 511–519.
Tuominen, M., Stuart, M. J., Aubry, M., Kannus, P., & Parkkari, J. (2015). Injuries in men’s international ice hockey: a 7-year study of the International Ice Hockey Federation Adult World Championship Tournaments and Olympic Winter Games. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49, 30–36.
Turcotte, R. A., Pearsall, D. J., & Montgomery, D. L. (2001). An apparatus to measure stiffness properties of ice hockey skate boots. Sports Engineering, 4, 43–48.
Disclaimer:
The content on the MSR website, including articles and embedded videos, serves educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice; only certified MSR practitioners should practice these techniques. By accessing this content, you assume full responsibility for your use of the information, acknowledging that the authors and contributors are not liable for any damages or claims that may arise.
This website does not establish a physician-patient relationship. If you have a medical concern, consult an appropriately licensed healthcare provider. Users under the age of 18 are not permitted to use the site. The MSR website may also feature links to third-party sites; however, we bear no responsibility for the content or practices of these external websites.
By using the MSR website, you agree to indemnify and hold the authors and contributors harmless from any claims, including legal fees, arising from your use of the site or violating these terms. This disclaimer constitutes part of the understanding between you and the website's authors regarding the use of the MSR website. For more information, read the full disclaimer and policies in this website.
DR. BRIAN ABELSON, DC. - The Author
With over 30 years of clinical practice and experience in treating over 25,000 patients with a success rate of over 85%, Dr. Abelson created the powerful and effective Motion Specific Release (MSR) Treatment Systems.
As an internationally best-selling author, he aims to educate and share techniques to benefit the broader healthcare community.
A perpetual student himself, Dr. Abelson continually integrates leading-edge techniques into the MSR programs, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary care. His work constantly emphasizes patient-centred care and advancing treatment methods. His practice, Kinetic Health, is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Join Us at Motion Specific Release
Enroll in our courses to master innovative soft-tissue and osseous techniques that seamlessly fit into your current clinical practice, providing your patients with substantial relief from pain and a renewed sense of functionality. Our curriculum masterfully integrates rigorous medical science with creative therapeutic paradigms, comprehensively understanding musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment protocols.
Join MSR Pro and start tapping into the power of Motion Specific Release. Have access to:
Protocols: Over 250 clinical procedures with detailed video productions.
Examination Procedures: Over 70 orthopedic and neurological assessment videos and downloadable PDF examination forms for use in your clinical practice are coming soon.
Exercises: You can prescribe hundreds of Functional Exercises Videos to your patients through our downloadable prescription pads.
Article Library: Our Article Index Library with over 45+ of the most common MSK conditions we all see in clinical practice. This is a great opportunity to educate your patients on our processes. Each article covers basic condition information, diagnostic procedures, treatment methodologies, timelines, and exercise recommendations. All of this is in an easy-to-prescribe PDF format you can directly send to your patients.
Discounts: MSR Pro yearly memberships entitle you to a significant discount on our online and live courses.
Integrating MSR into your practice can significantly enhance your clinical practice. The benefits we mentioned are only a few reasons for joining our MSR team.
Comments