Using the Pavesled to Develop the Skating Musculature

Abstract

S kating is a highly technical skill, which requires a great deal of strength, balance, agility, and power for a skater to move effectively across the ice. During dryland training, hockey players often find it difficult to train skating-specific actions in a technically precise manner that transfers to the ice. One of the keys to ice hockey training is that it must be ground-based and involve body weight and triple-extension movements of the hip, knee, and ankle (4). Several training devices have been created that attempt to duplicate the exact vectors and forces used in the skating stride so there will be a positive carryover to the ice. Recently a device (Pavesled, Independence, MO) was developed consisting of a weighted sled that slides across pavement while being towed by an athlete skating on in-line skates. The idea behind this concept is to duplicate the on-ice skating stride during off-ice training anywhere dry, flat pavement is found. When used in conjunction with a periodized strength and conditioning program, this device may offer an additional training tool for skating athletes to develop sport-specific musculature.