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Core Strength for Hockey Players

Hockey player

A hockey player’s legs not only generate power and speed while they are skating, but their abdominals and core muscles the muscles surrounding your abdomen, hips, lower back and pelvis can generate increased power and stability.

While skating, the activation of a hockey player’s oblique muscles, which run along the ribs and allow the torso to bend and twist, is crucial for their ability to constantly push off from their skates. The core should be the starting point for a hockey player’s acceleration by creating the flow of force from the core, through the legs, and into the feet.

Also, don’t forget, hockey players are constantly standing on a slick ice-surface, raising their body’s demand for a stable center. So, if you’re planning on hitting the ice, make sure to also focus on strengthening your core, as well as all the muscles throughout your body.

Here are some tips for strengthening your core:

1. Stand on foam or uneven surfaces and rotate your upper body while keeping a steady trunk. This exercise also improves your balance.

2. Move your legs and arms in opposite directions, stretching the body out and forcing your abdominals to contract to control the opposite forces. To increase difficulty try, doing this “dead bug” exercise standing while holding a weighted-ball.



The information provided in this blog by HSS and our affiliated physicians is for general informational and educational purposes, and should not be considered medical advice for any individual problem you may have. This information is not a substitute for the professional judgment of a qualified health care provider who is familiar with the unique facts about your condition and medical history. You should always consult your health care provider prior to starting any new treatment, or terminating or changing any ongoing treatment. Every post on this blog is the opinion of the author and may not reflect the official position of HSS. Please contact us if we can be helpful in answering any questions or to arrange for a visit or consult.