Category Archives: Columns
From the Trainer’s Room: Keys to recovery
July 7th, 2022Recovery after training or competition is crucial to continue sport performance at high intensity levels. Exercise-induced fatigue results in a decreased ability to generate adequate muscle force, or power, during activity. When the muscle is fatigued, there are increased levels of blood lactate, which can inhibit the muscle’s ability to contract efficiently and can lead…
From the Trainer’s Room: Availability – the best attribute for an athlete
June 22nd, 2022When we look at what makes an athlete superior, we look at speed, strength, and power. Some will look at how the athlete performs under pressure like scoring an overtime goal or striking out a batter with the bases loaded. Others may look at winning such as an elite player who makes teammates better around…
From the Trainer’s Room: Getting stronger, not bigger
June 13th, 2022All the hype on social media today stresses how cool it is to be huge and lift heavy weights. You can’t look at Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok without seeing some pro athlete or someone trying to be a pro athlete lifting an outrageous amount of weight one time and showing how big or “jacked” they…
From the Trainer’s Room: How to work core stability in a standing position
June 2nd, 2022The term “core stability” has been around for decades. There are many different aspects of core stability, but to me, we are speaking about the muscles that allow your trunk to flex, extend, rotate, and side bend. They are also the muscles that resist these movements and the muscles that provide support to the pelvis…
From the Trainer’s Room: Planning with purpose, how to attack the offseason
May 26th, 2022The offseason for a hockey player seems to get shorter and shorter every year. Every athlete I see in our facilities wants to get bigger and stronger or rehabilitate a nagging injury from the previous season. When are we supposed to find the time to achieve these goals when we never stop getting on the…
From the Trainer’s Room: How to stay injury-free during summer ice, inline tournaments
May 19th, 2022It is the time of year when hockey tournaments are dominating the schedule. Whether it’s a NARCh event, State Wars, or a fun offseason ice tournament, the hockey athlete still needs to take care of their body. Tournament play brings about several variables that are not considered during a “normal” season where schedules are planned…
From the Trainer’s Room: The basics of sports injury rehab
May 12th, 2022Injuries unfortunately are a part of sports. How an athlete recovers and returns from the injury depends on each athlete and each injury. There are different severities of injury and different demands on the injured area depending on the sport being played and how each individual responds to injury and pain. In other words, an…
From the Trainer’s Room: How to diagnose, treat shoulder sprains in hockey players
May 4th, 2022Can you tell me what a “separated shoulder” injury is? It’s not the same as a dislocated shoulder and you may be surprised to know how many professional players have sustained this injury. In fact, when I recently spoke with Joe Huff, the head athletic trainer for the Anaheim Ducks, he said it may be…
Meet Chris Phillips: owner, athletic trainer, strength and conditioning specialist
April 19th, 2022Compete Sports Performance and Rehab owner Chris Phillips recently took time to chat with ShoutOutLA.com about his professional career. Meet Chris Phillips | Owner, Athletic Trainer, Strength and Conditioning Specialist (April 19, 2022)
From the Trainer’s Room: How does hip mobility make you a better skater?
April 15th, 2022One of the most common requests I get from hockey players when they are referred to me for training is the need for increased hip mobility. But what does that mean? And how does better hip mobility make you a better skater in hockey? Mobility plays a significant role in improving the hockey stride. Mobility…