CA2727515A1 - Training device - Google Patents

Abstract

A training device for developing and improving skating strength, power, speed, quickness, agility and puck control skills on an ice surface is provided. The training device has first and second horizontal members, each supported in parallel at one end by a first base member and at a second end by a second base member. The horizontal members are positioned at a height to allow a puck to slide under them without contact, and are supported at a height to pose an obstacle which a skater can jump over.

Description

TRAINING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the general field of athletic training devices, and more particularly to on-ice training devices for developing and improving skating speed, agility and puck control skills.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] At both the professional and recreational level, ice hockey has become a popular sport in a number of countries around the world, including Canada, the United States, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Slovakia.
Consequently, there are many players seeking to develop or improve their hockey bio-motor abilities to obtain an optimal level of high performance output in skating-specific strength, power, speed, quickness, agility, skating transitional speed and mobility.
Although the game of ice hockey is a team sport, a high level of individual skill is paramount to success.

[0003] Competing in the game of ice hockey requires skating ability and puck control (e.g. stick handling, passing, shooting, and puck movement speed). Skating efficiency coupled with explosive skating power, skating mobility, and puck control are critical for successful offensive and defensive play, both at the individual and team level. Without the development of these components and skills, winning becomes increasingly challenging at all levels.

[0004] There are a number of high-performance methodologies, including apparatuses, devices, and the accompanying exercises, that have been created and implemented to assist with the improvement of a player's skating ability and puck control. Many of these instruments have placed emphasis on one of these skills or the other, but not necessarily both at the same time. For example, some exercises and/or devices are based solely on developing puck handling skills, shooting skills, physical strength for better skating, or teaching a novice player how to skate.

[0005] Prior art related to the present invention include: CA 2,290,210; CA
1,305,731;
US 2008/0248902; US 2006/0063615; and US 6,656,064.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a training device for developing and improving skating strength, power, speed, quickness, agility and puck control skills.

[0007] One embodiment of the training device relates to a training device for developing and improving skating and puck control on an ice surface is provided. The training device has first and second horizontal members, each supported in parallel at one end by a first base member and at a second end by a second base member. The horizontal members are positioned at a height to allow a puck to slide under them without contact, and are supported at a height to pose an obstacle which a skater can jump over.

[0008] According to one aspect, the training device is a device for developing and improving skating strength, power, speed, quickness, agility and puck control skills on an ice surface, including: a first horizontal member having a first end and a second end; a second horizontal member having a first end and a second end; a first base member having a bottom surface and a top surface; a second base member having a bottom surface and a top surface;
wherein the first end of the first horizontal member and the first end of the second horizontal member are removably connectable to the top surface of the first base member in a manner to resist separation when impacted; the second end of the first horizontal member and the second end of the second horizontal member are removably connectable to the top surface of the second base member; the bottom surface of the first base member and the bottom surface of the second base member are positionable to directly contact an ice surface;
the first base member and the second base member each have a height that is at least about two inches above the ice surface thereby positioning the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member at least about two inches above the ice surface; the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member have approximately the same length and are positioned along a horizontal axis approximately parallel to each other and to the ice surface;

and the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member are constructed of a material resilient to repeated impact.

[0009] The first horizontal member and the second horizontal member may be adjustable in length from about two feet to about four feet. The first base member and the second base member may each be reversibly expandable in width. The first base member and the second base member may be each reversibly adjustable in height from about two inches to about twelve inches in height.

[0010] The first horizontal member and second horizontal member may be constructed from plastic, Kevlar, carbon fibre composite or alloy, or wood covered with rubber.

[0011] The bottom surface of the first and second base members may each comprise a friction means to inhibit movement of said device on said ice surface, such as rubber, felt material, cork material, foam, spike, end cap, and suction cups.

[0012] The base members may include sensors to indicate when they are impacted, and a video camera to record player or puck movements when executing training drills.

[0013] The base members may be configured to allow the device to be stackable on another device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like parts:

[0015] Fig. 1 is a top view of the training device;

[0016] Fig. 2 is a side view of the training device;

[0017] Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of one of the base members of the training device;

[0018] Fig. 3A is a side perspective view of a portion of one of the horizontal members of the training device;

[0019] Fig. 4A is a side view of one of the horizontal members of the training device wherein the horizontal member is shown as a telescopic tube;

[0020] Fig. 4B is a top view of one of the horizontal members of the training device;

[0021] Fig. 4C is a side view of the training device wherein the training device is illustrated in its collapsed form;

[0022] Fig. 5 is a top view of the training device illustrating the expandable width of the base members;

[0023] Fig. 6 is a top view of one of the base members of the training device illustrating the expandable width of the base members;

[0024] Fig 6A is a top view of a training device illustrating a hinge about which the front ends and back ends of the base members can pivot;

[0025] Fig. 7 shows an example of a training exercise using the training device;

[0026] Fig. 8 shows another example of a training exercise using the training device; and

[0027] Fig. 9A to 9D show yet another example of a training exercise using the training device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a training device for developing and improving skating strength, power, speed, quickness and agility; and puck control skills.

[0029] With reference to Fig. 1, a top view of a training device is provided and indicated by reference numeral 10. Training device 10 is comprised of first horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30, each of which is attached to first base member 40 and second base member 50. First end 22 of first horizontal member 20 and first end 32 of second horizontal member 30 are connected to first base member 40. Second end 24 of first horizontal member 20 and second end 34 of second horizontal member 30 are connected to second base member 50. First horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member

30 are approximately parallel to each other. First horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30 may be almost identical to one another and of an approximately identical length.
[0030] The training device is likely to be used repeatedly. As such, training device 10 may be constructed of a strong material and comprise two horizontal members for durability.
First horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30 can be any type of material resilient enough to withstand repeated contact with a hockey player, hockey skates, hockey sticks and/or hockey pucks. Preferably, it is a type of material that does not damage the blades of hockey skates if impacted by a skate blade. Examples of suitable materials include:
hard plastic, Kevlar, carbon fibre composites and alloys, and wood (which may be covered with rubber).

[0031] First horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30 can be of any cross sectional shape: square, rectangular, triangular, elliptical, round or any variation thereof. In an alternative embodiment, first horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30 may be curvilinear, with various radiuses, to provide additional training exercises.

[0032] First base member 40 and second base member 50 can be any type of material able to withstand the body weight of a hockey player and repeated impacts by hockey pucks, hockey sticks and/or hockey skates, yet light enough for easy transportation.
Examples of suitable materials include: plastic, rubber, carbon fibre composites and alloys, and wood (which may be coated with rubber).

[0033] First base member 40 and second base member 50 can be of any shape, including square, triangular or elliptical, but are preferably circular or rectangular.
Further, first base member 40 and second base member 50 may be partially collapsible to absorb shock upon impact, for example, by a hockey puck, hockey stick or hockey skate. A
suitable means by which first base member 40 and second base member 50 are partially collapsible is by having each of first base member 40 and second base member 50 in an unfolded accordion shape in its steady state. Upon contact with a hockey puck, a hockey stick or the skate of a hockey player, first base member 40 and second base member 50 would be capable of reversibly folding into an accordion shape and then returning to the unfolded steady state thereafter.
Other suitable means in the art may also be used for providing partially collapsible first base member 40 and second base member 50 such as the base members being made of a flexible material such as rubber.

[0034] Referring to Fig. 2, a side view of training device 10 is provided showing either first horizontal member 20 or second horizontal member 30 connected to first base member 40 and second base member 50. It is understood that first base member 40 and second base member 50 may be very similar to one another and of an approximately equal height so that first horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30 are approximately parallel to the ice surface. The height of first base member 40 and second base member 50 is at least greater than the height of a puck lying flat on an ice surface, so that a puck sliding on the ice surface can pass freely underneath first horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30. The height of first base member 40 and second base member 50 may be between two and twelve inches, or the height of base members 40, 50 may be adjustable.

[0035] Training device 10 may be configured so that it is removably stackable with other training devices 10 (not shown) to increase the height of training device 10, if additional height is necessary, and for ease of storage and transportation. For example each base member may have a projection on its upper surface shaped to fit into a recess on the bottom of each base member.

[0036] Referring to Fig. 3, a top perspective view of top surface 42 of first base member 40 is shown. Second base member 50 would be a mirror image of first base member 40 shown in Fig. 3. Both top surface 42 of first base member 40 and the top surface of second base member 50 have a first base connector 44 and a second base connector 46, as shown in Fig. 3, for removably connecting first base member 40 to first horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30, and for removably connecting second base member 50 to first horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30. Examples of suitable means for connecting the horizontal members to the base members include: a snap-on system (shown), a ball locking pin system, a spring-loaded connection system, and using pins as connectors.

[0037] Referring to Fig. 3A, a side perspective view of an end of first horizontal member 20 is shown wherein first horizontal member 20 is configured to snap into either first base connector 44 or second base connector 46 as shown in Fig. 3, as horizontal member 20 has a recess to snap into extensions on base connectors 44, 46.

[0038] Horizontal members 20, 30 may be of a fixed length, or they may be adjustable.
With reference to Fig. 4A, a side view of a portion of horizontal member 20 is shown wherein horizontal member 20 is a telescopic tube with incremental sockets or apertures 60 to lock the horizontal members at different lengths using a pin. This allows training device to be reversibly adjustable in length. Other methods known in the art for adjusting the length of a bar may be used to reversibly adjust the length of the horizontal members 20, 30.

[0039] With reference to Fig. 4B, a top view of horizontal members 20, 30 is shown, with pin 62 fitting within socket 60. Pin 62 may be pushed in to slide within a select socket 60 and lock the horizontal member at a certain length. Pin 62 may fit within any socket 60, wherein sockets 60 are incrementally positioned along horizontal members 20, 30. This method may allow first horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30 to be reversibly adjustable in length from about two feet to about four feet.

[0040] With reference to Fig. 4C, a side view of training device 10 is shown wherein the horizontal members are at their shortest length, which may be about two feet in length. This is done by depressing pin 62 and bringing first end 22 and second end 24 toward each other and allowing pin 62 at first end 22 to slide into socket 60 closest to the very end of second end 24. Such a configuration of training device 10 provides a different tool for the skaters to use to hone their skating and puck control skills.

[0041] Training device 10 is also expandable in length (not shown) by providing connectors on either or both of first base member 40 and second base member 50 to join the ends of multiple training devices 10 together.

[0042] Referring to Fig. 5, a top view of training device 10 is provided, showing top surface 42 of first base member 40 and top surface 52 of second base member 50 being reversibly expandable in width. The width of first base member 40 and second base member 50 may be from about two inches in width to about twelve inches in width. For simplicity, front end 47 of first base member 40 and back end 48 of first base member 40 are described;
however, it is understood that a similar front end and back end form a part of second base member 50. Front end 47 can be separated from back end 48 to expand first base member 40.
Expansion of first base member 40 in width can be accomplished using at least one lengthwise connector 66 to connect front end 47 and back end 48 when first base member 40 is in expanded form and a suitable connection/expansion system. Examples of suitable connection systems in the art include: a ball locking pins system, a telescopic extension pole system, a simple locking pin system or a spring loaded locking system.

[0043] Connectors 66 may be split into two components 67, 69, one retractably extending from each base end 42, 48 of base 40. This may allow a base to pivot on hinge 70, as shown in Fig. 6A, without restraint from the other base 50.

[0044] With reference to Fig. 6, a top view of either first base member 40 or second base member 50 is provided in an expanded format and showing hinge 70 that allows swivelling of front end 47 and back end 48. Hinge 70 can be locked in a 90 position with respect to lengthwise connector 66 wherein front end 47 and back end 48 are parallel with respect to each other. In an alternative embodiment, either or both of front end 47 and back end 48 can be placed at different angles with respect to lengthwise connector 66 by pivoting around hinge 70. Such a configuration of training device 10 allows for different challenges for the skaters to develop and improve their skating and puck control skills as either or both of first horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30 can be positioned at varying angles creating different obstacles for the skaters.

[0045] Bottom surface 80 of either first base member 40 or second base member 50 may be of a type of material that provides a friction means to prevent movement of training device 10 on an ice surface. Bottom surface 80 is preferably made of a rubber, felt or cork material, and may include spikes, end caps or suction cups.

[0046] Training device 10 may also comprise sensors (not shown), for either light or noise, that indicate when training device 10 is impacted by a puck, hockey stick or the skater.
Further, training device 10 may comprise a video camera or other recording device known in the art (not shown) that is mounted on or built into training device 10 to record player or puck movements while executing training drills to help a skater better develop and improve their skills. Depending on the recording device, the recording device can be mounted on or built into either the base members or the horizontal members.

[0047] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), first base member 40 and second base member 50 may be removable from training device 10 such that first horizontal member 20 and second horizontal member 30 may directly contact the ice surface. Such a configuration provides an on-ice low-rise reference point for training drills that require borders to be placed on the ice.

[0048] The present invention provides an easy to use, inexpensive and effective tool for teaching, promoting, developing and improving hockey skills, more particularly, skating strength, power, speed, quickness and agility; and with puck control. It is versatile, durable and resilient to impact, and capable of different configurations to provide a training device that can accommodate a number of training exercises and drills.

[0049] The following examples illustrate practical training exercises and drills using training device 10. It is to be understood these examples should not be considered as limitations, but are only for illustration.

[0050] Example 1 - Explosive Forward and Backward (Linear) Exercises to Develop Explosive Skating Strength and Power

[0051] Referring to Fig. 7, an application of the present invention is provided with a description of the associated training exercise set out below. This training exercise uses training device 10 to develop and improve explosive skating strength and power in hockey players and other skaters, such as figure skaters and speed skaters. The exercise involves doing multiple squats, knee touches to the ice and jumps over training device 10. To set up the training exercise, training devices 10 are placed lengthwise along the length of an ice surface in succession such that the horizontal members of the multiple training devices are approximately parallel to each other. The exercise involves a single leg squat and an ice-touch with the opposite knee followed by hurdling or jumping over training device 10. This sequence is repeated over the multiple training devices 10 that are set up along the ice surface and involves the following drills: (i) performing the drill by alternating legs following each hurdle; (ii) performing the drill by alternating legs following two consecutive hurdles; (iii) performing the drill by alternating legs following four consecutive hurdles; (iv) performing the drill by alternating legs following six to eight consecutive hurdles; and (v) repeating steps (i) through (iv) without the knee ice-touch.

[00521 Examples of other steps to add to the sequence set out above include:
(a) holding a hockey stick in both hands horizontally across the front of the body and performing steps (i) through (v) above; (b) holding a hockey stick across the back of the shoulders and performing steps (i) through (v) above; (c) doing a medicine ball ice-touch (or just holding the medicine ball) prior to each hurdle over training device 10 and performing steps (i) through (v) above; (d) having the multiple training devices 10 widely spaced apart from each other; and (e) having the multiple training devices 10 narrowly spaced apart from each other.
[00531 Example 2 - Lateral Crossover Jumps with Puck Control Exercises to Develop Skating Power and Puck Control Skills [00541 Referring to Fig. 8, an application of the present invention is provided with a description of the associated training exercise set out below. This training exercise uses training device 10 to improve the skating power of skaters and their puck control skills. To set up the training exercise, one training device 10 is placed on an ice surface and a second training device 10 is placed directly in front of the first training device 10, wherein the two training devices are positioned lengthwise along the same axis, one in front of the other. The exercise involves doing lateral crossover jumps over training device 10 while simultaneously pulling a hockey puck under a second training device 10. For example, the training exercise could involve the following sequence: (i) start on the right side of training device 10 and drop hips and bend knees; (ii) jump and cross right leg over left leg and over training device 10; (iii) simultaneously with step (ii), pull puck under a second training device 10; (iv) land with right skate immediately followed by left skate on the left side of training device 10, while at the same time controlling the hockey puck; and (v) repeat sequence in opposite direction.

[00551 Variations can be added to the sequence including: (a) adding a left leg squat followed by a right knee ice-touch prior to steps (ii) through (iv); (b) jumping over two parallel training devices 10 placed side-by-side lengthwise on the ice; (c) jumping over two parallel training devices 10 placed side-by-side lengthwise on the ice in progressively greater distances apart; (d) performing pepper passes (i.e. quick, short passes) while completing the lateral crossover jumps; (e) doing steps (i) through (iv) (and optionally (a)) from a mirror image, i.e. substituting left for right and vice-versa.

[00561 Example 3 - Explosive Forward and Backward Crossover Power Training [00571 Referring to Figs. 9A through 9D, an application of the present invention is provided with a description of the associated training exercise set out below.
This training exercise uses training device 10 to improve skating power. To set up the training exercise, multiple training devices 10 are placed lengthwise, end-to-end, on an ice surface along the length of the ice. The exercise involves doing multiple diagonal jumps with both feet together over the multiple training devices 10 in a zigzag pattern down the length of the ice.
To add complexity, other steps can be added to the training exercise including: (i) holding a hockey stick with both hands horizontally across the front of the body; (ii) performing the training exercise with a medicine ball and doing a medicine ball ice-touch between jumps;
(iii) jumping over two parallel training devices placed side-by-side lengthwise on the ice; and (iv) placing the multiple training devices at progressively greater distances apart along the length of the ice.

[00581 Figs 9B to 9D show variations of the above using the skater's inside legs, switching legs before each jump, and crossing legs while jumping.

[00591 APPLICATION OF THE TRAINING DEVICE AS A POWER TRAINING
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SKATING POWER

[00601 The use of the training device 10 provides, amongst other benefits, improved skating power and overall skating performance. When coupled with skating-specific movements or movement patterns (see training specificity and skating-specific power below), the use of the training device 10 presents a barrier that may only be overcome using ballistic, jumping actions ('plyometrics' as described below). This type of training, by nature, requires high intensity effort (muscular contractions executed at maximal force and through the shortest time period) and a measure of neuromuscular (nerve and muscle) intervention that is beyond that provided by most other types of conditioning methodologies. The end product of this marriage between maximal muscle force, velocity, skating-specific plyometric exercise, and the training device 10 culminates in the emergence of an improved level of explosive skating power.

[0061] Training specificity (the `specificity principle). For the purpose of adaptation (adjusting or meeting the physical demands of a given activity) and enhancing physical activity or sports performance, the methodology of a physical training regiment and the selection of exercise(s) must be designed to address the specific skill and physical conditioning requirements of the sport or activity in question. When the aforementioned is adhered to, along with a training regiment that firmly addresses the demands of competition, there will be a higher level of adaptation or transition from training to competition. Thus, to optimize skating power and speed during competition, the training medium must consider and incorporate a number of variables, such as, training methodology, type of exercise(s) employed (must simulate specific skating movement patterns and target the respective skating musculature and associated joints), skating movement angles, and ranges of skating movements (which should be at least as great as those encountered during competition).
Furthermore, a maximal level of physical effort will be required during training, whereby specific-skating movements are executed with very high force and speed.
Ultimately, the combination of high intensity training with the usage of the training device 10, will exacerbate the training effect by forcing the hockey player to execute the various skating manoeuvres with explosive effort. Consequently, this will result in a high crossover effect from the training environment to the competitive arena, with noticeable progress in overall ice-hockey performance.

[0062] Skating-specific power or explosive power is defined as the maximum level of muscle force output and speed or velocity integrated with or applied to skating movements (through their respective joint angles and ranges of movement) inherent in the game of ice-hockey.

[0063] Plyometrics or Plyometric Training. The word `plyometric' is collectively the sum of two Greek words (PLIO = more / METRIC = to measure). Plyometric is a form of power training and it pertains to exercises that involve quick, explosive movements, allowing muscle to achieve a maximal level of force within the shortest period of time.
This integration between maximum muscle force output and speed (velocity) results in the generation of power.

[0064] SCIENTIFIC MODELS SUPPORTING THE EFFICACY OF THE HURDLE
AND PLYOMETRIC TRAINING METHODOLOGY

[0065] Using training device 10 with plyometric skating movements as a stimulus for the development of an improved level of explosive skating power is scientifically endorsed through mechanical, and neurophysiological or neuromuscular parameters.

[0066] Mechanical Model/Series Elastic Component (SEC) [0067] Through rapid stretching or lengthening of muscle and tendon or musculotendinous structures (eccentric muscle action), immediately preceding a jump over the training device 10, a greater amount of elastic energy is stored (eccentric loading) in the musculotendinous segments. If the stored elastic energy is immediately followed by concentric muscle action (muscular contraction or shortening phase of muscle action), the energy is released, resulting in a greater production of force. This muscle-tendon unit (with the tendon housing most of the SEC) operates much like an elastic band. When it is lengthened, potential energy is increased with a strong tendency for the segment to release the stored energy upon its subsequent retraction to normal resting length. If the release of energy occurs immediately following the stretch, high force output ensues. If not, the energy is lost or diffused through heat with a concurrent drop in power.

[0068] Neurophysiological Model/Stretch Reflex [0069] The stretch reflex is an involuntary response to external stress imposed upon muscle tissue (identical to the one experienced by a doctor testing neuromuscular reflexes when tapping the patellar tendon just below your knee cap) and is a product of the muscle spindle (a proprioceptive organ or sensory receptor found in the belly of muscle tissue, that gages the rate and magnitude of muscle stretch) activity. A quick muscle stretch (precisely what occurs when the doctor taps the patellar tendon) will stimulate the muscle spindle and set forth a chain of neurological events leading to a reflexive contraction of the stretched muscle fibers (the knee-jerk or quick leg extension that immediately follows the tap to the patellar tendon). This process, by nature, is a protective mechanism designed to prevent injury (e.g., tearing of muscle fibers as a result of being over-stretched) and is exploited in athletic training/performance to develop or increase power output during specific movements. With reference to hockey training, the use of jumping or plyometric type skating movements, coupled with usage of the training device 10, forces the hockey player/skater to propel his/her body over the training device 10. Immediately preceding the propulsion of this type of movement, the muscles involved are rapidly stretched, stimulating the associated spindles. This, in turn, results in a reflexive muscle contraction that leads to a quicker and higher generation of force accompanied with a heightened level of skating-specific power.
[0070] Stretch-Shortening Cycle (SSC) [0071] The SSC process harnesses the energy derived from both the SEC and the activation of the stretch-reflex to recruit a maximum number of muscle fibers over the shortest period of time. In doing so, the SSC imposes upon the elastic and reflexive mechanisms within muscle tissue to generate greater force in less time.
Plyometric exercise, a form of power training that is characterized by ballistic movements (such as the jumping motions over hurdles), utilizes the SSC by first imposing upon the elastic nature of muscle tissue, via a quick stretch during the countermovement or eccentric (tension developed through the muscle while lengthening) loading phase. The stored (potential) energy within the lengthened muscle fibers will then be released as kinetic (movement) energy upon the subsequent concentric (tension developed through the applied muscle while shortening or contracting) phase of muscular contraction. Moreover, greater force and rapid muscle action ensues. For the hockey player, this translates into explosive take-off (starting) and stride power, as well as greater skating speed.

[0072] Phases within the SSC and the underlying neurophysiological basis of the sensory-motor integration leading to greater muscular force.

[00731 Eccentric phase (phase 1) [00741 During the eccentric phase, the muscles directly responsible for the intended movement are preloaded or stored with energy (via the SEC) and the muscle spindles are stimulated by a rapid stretch through the muscle fibers. Via specialized nerve fibers (sensory-afferent/type la), the spindle stretching process sends a signal to the Central Nervous System (CNS) at the level of the spinal cord. When visualizing the execution of a skating-specific plyometric (jump) movement over the training device 10, the eccentric phase encompasses the time the skate contacts the ice to the fully descended point in the movement, or, with the skate already in contact with the ice, the time it takes for the body to descend to its optimal point.

[00751 Amortization or transition phase (phase 2) [00761 This amortization phase includes the time (transition) between the eccentric and concentric periods of muscle movement and begins at the end of the eccentric phase and concludes upon the start of concentric muscle contraction. During this time there is a delay between the two phases (eccentric and concentric) allowing the sensory/afferent type la nerves to synapse (a process of communication between one nerve fiber with another) with alpha motor neurons at the spinal cord level. This is an intermediary step in the cycle which then leads to a transmission of impulses directed back to the agonist muscles, the muscles responsible for the movement in question. Again, with reference to the execution of a specific-skating jump over the training device 10, once the skate contacts the ice or in the case where the skate is already in contact with the ice, it is that level when the leg/hip has descended to an optimal depth point (the level of greatest potential energy storage capacity) and momentarily stops. This is the beginning of the amortization phase and when the movement starts again, the amortization period will have ended.

[00771 Concentric phase (third & final phase) [00781 The concentric phase, which is the final stage, includes the resultant muscle action from the influence of the prior two phases. Thus, a two-fold effect (the usage of stored elastic energy in the SEC and the stretch-reflex mechanism) supports a greater, more rapid, application of force production from the specific musculature directly responsible for the skating movement. In the previous example, where the hockey player is executing a skating-specific jump over training device 10, the concentric phase of the stretch-shortening cycle commences upon conclusion of the amortization phase - the very moment that the skater propels his body up and forward over the obstacle.

[0079] Plyometric skating exercises combined with the training device 10 present a high intensity training environment that utilizes the aforementioned mechanical and neurophysiological measures in order to recruit a greater number of motor units with their associated muscle fibers, and delivers a higher motor unit firing frequency, and increases the synchronization (as described below) of motor unit firing. This results in an impulsive activation of the neuromusculoskeletal complex with the end product of this merger culminating in a remarkable increase in explosive skating power.

[0080] Motor Unit Recruitment: A motor unit involves a given nerve fiber and the corresponding muscle fiber(s) that it innervates or acts upon. The higher the number of motor units called-upon (nerve fibers and all of their respective muscle fibers) to execute a given physical or motor (involves the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems to perform mechanical body movement) task, the greater the potential for an optimal level of force output generated during movement. Due to the intensity associated with the implementation of skating-specific jumping motions over training device 10, a greater activation (higher number of recruited motor units) and more forceful physical effort is produced by the pertinent skating muscles involved.

[0081] Motor Unit Firing Frequency: This is the rate at which a motor unit is stimulated.
A higher rate of nerve firing or neural activation intensifies the force output of individual motor units.

[0082] Synchronization: During this process, all the recruited motor units fire at once (synchronous firing) causing a maximum burst in muscle force output. This is the preferred choice of neuromuscular activation if an athlete is attempting to achieve a maximum level of power during gross motor movements. For instance, if a hockey player is opting to gain the highest level of muscular force and velocity at the point of take-off (regardless of the type of skating start), the process of synchronization would be extremely beneficial.
Accompanying the implementation of the training device 10 to skating-specific start jumps, demands the synchronous firing of motor units, thus, developing or increasing a hockey players ability to `take-off with explosiveness.

[0083] ADDITIONAL USAGE AND BENEFITS OF THE TRAINING DEVICE

[0084] The training device 10 is a multidimensional ice-hockey training instrument that not only develops skating power, but can also be used with a multitude of diverse applications for developing skating transition or agility quickness; dynamic skating balance, stability, and coordination; eye/hand & foot movement coordination; and puck control ability, amongst others.

[0085] The above-described embodiments have been provided as examples, for clarity in understanding the invention. A person of skill in the art will recognize that alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the embodiments described above while remaining within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims (10)

What is claimed is:

1. A training device for developing and improving skating and puck control on an ice surface, comprising:

a first horizontal member, said first horizontal member having a first end and a second end;

a second horizontal member, said second horizontal member having a first end and a second end;

a first base member, said first base member having a bottom surface and a top surface;

a second base member, said second base member having a bottom surface and a top surface;

wherein said first end of said first horizontal member and said first end of said second horizontal member are removably connectable to said top surface of said first base member in a manner to resist separation when impacted;

wherein said second end of said first horizontal member and said second end of said second horizontal member are removably connectable to said top surface of said second base member;

wherein said bottom surface of said first base member and said bottom surface of said second base member are positionable to directly contact an ice surface;

wherein said first base member and said second base member each have a height that is at least about two inches above said ice surface thereby positioning said first horizontal member and said second horizontal member at least about two inches above said ice surface;

wherein said first horizontal member and said second horizontal member have approximately the same length and are positioned along a horizontal axis approximately parallel to each other and to said ice surface; and wherein said first horizontal member and said second horizontal member are constructed of a material resilient to repeated impact.

2. A training device according to claim 1 wherein said first horizontal member and said second horizontal member are each reversibly adjustable in length from about two feet to about four feet

3. A training device according to claim 1 wherein said first base member and said second base member are each reversibly expandable in width.

4. A training device according to claim 1 wherein said first base member and said second base member are each reversibly adjustable in height from about two inches to about twelve inches in height.

5. A training device according to claim 1 wherein said first horizontal member and said second horizontal member are constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of:
plastic, Kevlar, carbon fibre composite, alloy and wood covered with rubber.

6. A training device according to claim 1 wherein said bottom surface of said first base member and said bottom surface of said second base member each comprise a friction means to inhibit movement of said device on said ice surface.

7. A training device according to claim 6, wherein said friction means is selected from a group consisting of: rubber, felt material, cork material, foam, spike, end cap, and suction cups.

8. A training device according to claim 1 wherein said first base member and said second base member comprise sensors to indicate when said device is impacted.

9. A training device according to claim 1 wherein said device comprises a video camera to record player movements.

10. A training device according to claim 1 wherein said device is stackable on top of a second training device.