Post by Declan on Aug 29, 2009 12:05:33 GMT -5
The new conditioning regimen the Toronto Maple Leafs have been subjected to this summer may or may not translate into more victories this season.
But they should be in shape for next summer's Tour de France.
In addition to the usual schedule of core exercises and weight training, the Leafs have implemented a stationary bike component set up by Carmichael Training Systems, an organization fronted by Chris Carmichael, the distinguished trainer for legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong.
The state-of-the-art cycling program is not your ordinary aerobic workout. Each player's session is closely scrutinized through heart monitors and his own individual computerized memory stick that is plugged into the stationary bike to record all sorts of data during the workout, including how much the athlete's performance improves over time.
The goal of the intense bike ride is to not only build up a player's stamina, but increase his speed, strength and power. Hockey is, after all, a quick-burst, quick-shift game.
“The guys have been very responsive to the new program,” the Leafs' new strength and conditioning coach, Anthony Belza, said. “One key component is that it has the guys interested in the science behind the program. It has made guys very aware and it has brought in a new level of professionalism and commitment.
“That's secondary, but I think you could say it's primary because it is so important to have that culture established.”
Many Leafs became fed up with coach Ron Wilson's steady diatribes to reporters last season that his players' fitness was lacking. So this program was established as a result.
Leafs players living in the Toronto area had access to the Carmichael bikes either at the Air Canada Centre or the practice facility at Lakeshore Lions Arena. The players living out of town were encouraged to purchase their own bikes with a $1,200 price tag.
About six players did buy a bike, but this development had the NHL Players' Association keeping tabs on the situation. The players' union was concerned the Leafs were asking the off-season, off-ice program to be too much of an extension of the club's training camp, which doesn't commence until Sept. 12.
Nevertheless, the players have bought in to the new program. Toronto rookie Tyler Bozak raved about the results he has seen this summer under the watchful eye of Belza, a former minor pro defenceman who worked with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League the past few seasons.
The 23-year-old Bozak, signed by the Leafs out of the University of Denver, has increased his strength and size. His six-foot frame went to 195 pounds from 175.
“It's tough,” Bozak said. “We're dying after [the workout]. I have never worked this hard, but it's done great things for me.”
The players were on the Carmichael bikes three times a week, but now that most of them are back skating, they will scale back the stationary bike sessions to twice a week.
“We determined that there was a piece of the pie that might have been missing with respect to our entire training plan,” Belza said. “When we looked at our players' needs in terms of their fitness levels, we determined that maybe we could improve that, so we consulted with the Carmichael Group.
“What has been successful about it has been the integration. To just have this program alone would not be sufficient. We wouldn't be covering all the bases. But I think we have found the last piece of the pie and it fits into the ideal model for developing professional hockey players.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/new-program-helps-bozak-beef-up/article1269198/