Body composition matters in ice hockey. Here’s why! One of the most important physical abilities needed to be an effective player is acceleration or the ability to win 10-15’ puck races. Excess body mass negatively affects acceleration. To see why, a basic understanding of physics is needed. Newton’s second law states that force is equal to the product of mass and acceleration (F=ma). A simple manipulation of this formula allows us to solve for acceleration leading us to the conclusion that acceleration is equal to force/ body mass. Larger body mass leads to a decrease in acceleration. It’s important for players to focus on foods that promote the growth and maintenance of lean mass throughout the course of the off-season. Poor body composition leads to decrease efficiency on the ice.
Yours in Hockey,
-Team DSC