How Training is Changing

Once in a while someone will forward me an email outlining the Toronto Maple Leaf's training camp schedule from 1962. After stating that "Golf will be a must", the letter says that all players must be able to do a minimum of; 20 push ups, 20 sit ups, and 30 knee bends.

I can't say for sure that I know what a 'knee bend' is but I can definitely tell you that times have changed. It may seem surprising but this was the pre-season training camp for the defending Stanely Cup champions and eventual Cup winners that season. Back then the training that athletes went through to prepare for their sport was minimal to none existent.

Making a good athlete great.

Over the years strength and conditioning have become increasingly important to what makes a good athlete great. Natural athletic ability will only get an athlete so far before the training and preparation of their peers will catch up to them. Since the 80's and 90's elite athletes are spending more and more time training in the weight room in addition to their practice in the field. Today, 'strength and conditioning coaches' are now an essential part of most college and high-school athletic departments.

What's next?

Since nearly all athletes supplement their practice with training in the weight room, athletes today are beginning to turn to 'mental training' for a competitive advantage. It has long been known that the mental traits of an athlete play a large role in their success. I'm sure we've all heard someone say a variation of the, 'sports are 90% mental and only 10% physical' line. My personal favorite is from Wayne Gretzky;

"Ninety percent of hockey is mental and the other half is physical."

Most professional organizations have realized this, as nearly all teams employ or are affiliated with a sports psychologist. Many elite athletes now include mental training as a part of their regular training regimen.

ProMinded - Mental Training for Athletes

Providing a competitive advantage and helping athletes achieve their potentialare the primary goals of ProMinded. The training includes sport psychology knowledge and training techniques in ways that athletes can actually learn from andapply to their sport. Just like physical skills, mental skills can be learned and improved through practice. As athlete's training continues to evolve, don't be surprised to see sport psychologists having a large role in athlete development in the near future.

#torontomapleleafs #training #mentaltraining #hockey