I02 -- January 2008 -- Hockey Rehab and Performance

Intro: Whether you're a professional athlete, high school athlete or weekend warrior, reaching peak performance is a common goal. But that's not going to happen if you have deficiencies in strength or flexibility. In fact, these weaknesses are a common cause of injury. That's why Mayo Clinic's Sports Medicine Department developed a program aimed at helping athletes such as the hockey player you're about to meet, be their best.

17-YEAR OLD CHARLIE THAUWALD IS A STAR ON THE ICE.

"I REALLY LIKE THE PHYSICAL PLAY. YOU KNOW, YOU GET TO HIT A LOT OF GUYS."

BUT ALL THAT CONTACT AND FAST PLAY CAN DO SOME DAMAGE IF HE'S NOT IN TOP SHAPE.

"IF SOMEBODY IS TRYING TO PERFORM AT THEIR UTMOST AND THEY HAVE A DEFICIENCY SOMEWHERE IN THEIR MOVEMENT SYSTEM, THEIR BODY IS GOING TO CHEAT AROUND IT TO GET THE JOB DONE."

AND PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND ATHLETIC TRAINER JOE EISCHEN SAYS CHEATING AROUND OR COMPENSATING FOR A WEAKNESS IN STRENGTH OR FLEXIBILITY CAN CAUSE INJURIES. CHARLIE FOUND THAT OUT THE HARD WAY.

"I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS PULLING A GROIN AND HIP FLEXOR DURING A GAME."

SO CHARLIE, ALONG WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE VARSITY HOCKEY TEAM, ENROLLED IN MAYO CLINIC SPORTS MEDICINE'S HOCKEY REHABILITATION AND PERFORMANCE PROGRAM.

"HOPEFULLY I CAN GET STRONGER AND PREVENT INJURY."

EACH PLAYER WENT THROUGH DIFFERENT STATIONS THAT HELPED JOE AND HIS TEAM FIGURE OUT HOW EACH ATHLETE IS PUT TOGETHER AND WHERE THEIR WEAKNESSES ARE.

"THIS ONE'S TESTING YOUR HIP FLEXOR AND QUAD FLEXIBILITY".

THEN THEY TAUGHT PLAYERS EXERCISES TO CORRECT THOSE DEFICIENCIES.

"WE TRY TO GIVE YOU THE BEST FRAMEWORK YOU CAN HAVE."

SO YOU CAN TRAIN HARDER WITH FEWER INJURIES, AND PERFORM BETTER.

"IT HELPED MY STRIDE BECAUSE I'M NOT FAVORING ONE LEG."

CHARLIE SAYS THE PROGRAM HELPS HIM STAY IN TOP SHAPE AS HE GEARS UP FOR COLLEGE HOCKEY. AND WHO KNOWS? MAYBE A SHOT AT THE PROS.
"AS A KID I ALWAYS DREAMED OF PLAYING PRO HOCKEY, BUT DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE THE COLLEGE FIRST."

FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I'M VIVIEN WILLIAMS

Anchor tag: Joe Eischen says that this program is not just for hockey players. Mayo Clinic can target these programs to meet the needs of any athlete or any person who wants to be fit, strong and healthy.

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