When an athlete suffers an injury, the early decisions made around their training can have a profound impact on their reconditioning timeline.
Research has shown that training the opposite limb can result in up to 77% of the gained strength transferring to the untrained (injured) limb. This is a result of adaptations in the nervous system that allow for a strong neural drive and coordinated contraction to be maintained in the injured side, despite it not actively moving.
Focusing on multi-joint exercises with slow eccentric and rapid concentric phases will maximize the transfer effect.
These positive neural adaptations accompany desirable hormonal responses to heavy resistance training, which may positively impact tissue healing.
If the goal is to optimize injury healing, and expedite a return to full performance, complete rest is rarely the answer.
Feel free to post any comments/questions below. If you found this helpful, please share/re-post it so others can benefit.
To your success,
Kevin Neeld
SpeedTrainingforHockey.com
HockeyTransformation.com
OptimizingAdaptation.com
P.S. For more information reconditioning injured athletes, check out Optimizing Adaptation & Performance
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Kevin has rapidly established himself as a leader in the field of physical preparation and sports science for ice hockey. He is currently the Head Performance Coach for the Boston Bruins, where he oversees all aspects of designing and implementing the team’s performance training program, as well as monitoring the players’ performance, workload and recovery. Prior to Boston, Kevin spent 2 years as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the San Jose Sharks after serving as the Director of Performance at Endeavor Sports Performance in Pitman, NJ. He also spent 5 years as a Strength and Conditioning Coach with USA Hockey’s Women’s Olympic Hockey Team, and has been an invited speaker at conferences hosted by the NHL, NSCA, and USA Hockey.
“Kevin's products have helped shape the training and care of our hockey teams. If you are looking for a Leader in Hockey Performance Training, Kevin Neeld is one of the best. His products and coaching will take any hockey player to the next level.”
Dan Gabelman, Union College, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach