In this week’s Goalie Training Pro live Q&A session, Maria Mountain tackled a variety of questions. The main focus was on improving cardiovascular endurance and skating skills for goalies. Maria also shared some insights on protein supplements and other training recommendations.
Cardiovascular Endurance Issues
The first question came from a 69-year-old goalie who was struggling with his cardiovascular endurance. He could only play for about 30 minutes before becoming completely exhausted, a stark contrast to a few years ago when he could play a full game.
Maria’s advice was to take the recommendation to see a cardiologist seriously. While the goalie didn’t think there were any underlying heart issues, Maria shared personal experiences where seemingly minor symptoms turned out to be serious heart problems. She emphasized the importance of not taking cardiovascular health lightly and getting a proper medical evaluation.
Assuming there are no cardiac issues, Maria suggested looking at the goalie’s current training regimen. Even though he was riding the exercise bike for 20 minutes every other day, something was still amiss. Maria recommended gradually building up the duration and intensity of the bike workouts to better simulate the demands of a hockey game.
Improving Skating Technique
The next question focused on how to improve overall skating ability, both on and off the ice. Maria explained that the approach depends on the individual’s current skating proficiency. For brand new skaters, she recommended focusing on getting comfortable on the edges, working on balance, and practicing getting in and out of the butterfly position.
For more experienced skaters looking to refine their technique, Maria emphasized the importance of mobility, stability, and functional strength. This includes addressing any mobility restrictions, building up the deep stabilizing muscles, and then progressing to more advanced strength training that mimics the demands of hockey.
Maria also highlighted a new book called “Strength Training for Hockey” that she contributed a chapter to, which may be a valuable resource for strength and conditioning coaches working with hockey players.
Supplement Recommendations
Lastly, Maria shared her thoughts on protein powder supplements. She personally prefers whey protein isolate for its faster absorption, but cautioned that protein powder is simply a convenient food, not a magic elixir.
In addition to protein, Maria recommended considering creatine as a proven supplement to support high-intensity, repeated efforts. She also mentioned branched-chain amino acids and beta-alanine as potentially beneficial, but emphasized that protein and creatine should be the foundation.
As always, if you have any questions for Maria, please reach out to help[at]goalietrainingpro.com
That’s all for today. Thanks for stopping by. Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! Catch you here next time!