The Dangers of Overtraining in Hockey: What Every Player Should Know

Do you listen to your body? I did not when training for my fourth marathon. Back in 2009, I had a few marathons under my belt and I felt invincible. Long runs were feeling easy. Strength training was feeling comfortable, and the speed workouts were becoming fun and intoxicating. I loved pushing my body and turning up the dial on the track and treadmill. However, one day I pushed it too much. In fact, it was not really one day that pushed my body over the edge, it was a collection of many days that culminated in me developing my first stress fracture.

If you think about the very nature of a stress fracture, it is self-induced. Here is how the Mayo Clinic defines a stress fracture:

"Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone. They're caused by repetitive force, often from overuse — such as repeatedly jumping up and down or running long distances. Stress fractures can also develop from normal use of a bone that's weakened by a condition such as osteoporosis.

The keyword here is overuse. Most serious athletes are guilty of it and hockey players are no exception. Hockey is an intense and physically demanding sport, requiring players to maintain peak physical condition to compete at the highest levels. So, it should be no surprise that some hockey players are tempted to overtrain in order to gain an edge and stay ahead, which can lead to serious harm. We are going to explore the dangers of overtraining in hockey and what every player should know to avoid these risks.

What is Overtraining?

Overtraining occurs when a hockey player trains excessively, without adequate rest and recovery time. This can result in physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, as well as decreased performance on the ice. While hard work is necessary to succeed in hockey, too much of it can lead to serious problems.

The Dangers of Overtraining

Overtraining can have many negative effects on a hockey player's health and performance, including:

Increased Risk of Injury: Overtraining can lead to muscle fatigue and weakened immune function, which can increase the risk of injury on the ice.

Mental and Emotional Exhaustion: Overtraining can cause mental and emotional exhaustion, leading to a decrease in motivation and drive to succeed.

Decreased Performance: Overtraining can actually lead to a decrease in performance on the ice, as the body is not able to recover properly.

Hormonal Imbalances: Overtraining can lead to imbalances in hormones such as cortisol and testosterone, which can lead to decreased muscle mass, decreased bone density, and an increased risk of injury.

Obviously, overtraining poses a number of dangers. How do you avoid them moving forward?

How to Avoid Overtraining

To avoid the dangers of overtraining, hockey players should focus on a balanced training regimen that includes adequate rest and recovery time. This can include:

Monitoring Workouts: Players should monitor their workouts and ensure that they are not exceeding their limits.

Prioritizing Rest: Rest and recovery time should be prioritized, including proper sleep and nutrition.

Cross-Training: Cross-training can help players avoid overtraining by working different muscle groups and reducing the risk of injury.

Listening to Your Body: It is important for players to listen to their bodies and take rest days when needed, to avoid pushing themselves too hard.

Final Thoughts

Overtraining in hockey can have serious negative effects on a hockey player's health and performance. By understanding the dangers of overtraining and taking steps to avoid it, players can maintain their peak physical condition and stay healthy on and off the ice.

With all that said, if there is only one item you take away from this post, remember this: hockey training is not about working hard, it is about working smart. Listen to your body.