The typical hockey skater's lower extremities never goes through a complete gait cycle. They ideally should have limited pedal mechanics between midstance and the beginning of propulsion, with slight knee flexion during the entire contact phase. When initiating a turn, an ice skater will maintain their control by directing the inside knee medially and transferring the load inward to the foot's medial edge. This is done by internally rotating the tibia, causing a closed kinetic chain pronation of the foot which transfers the pressure through the skate boot on to the blade's inside edge.
The higher level hockey skater has a more subtle dynamic and the reverse is true for the beginner. When an ice skater has an over pronated or unstable foot structure, they may have a more difficult time turning as the medial arch of the foot may collapse within the skate boot before the edging force can be transferred.
Some indications you may need a hockey ice skate orthotic.
1. Foot and or Ankle pain or fatigue with ice skating.
2. Weak crossovers.
3. Difficulty making a turn.
4. Knee and or Low Back pain or fatigue while skating.
5. Chronic fatigue or pain directly after skating.
A hockey skate orthotic should allow greater control with turning and crossovers. Usually persons with skate orthotics notice longer stride length and more explosive leg power. Skate orthotics should be thin for ease of placement, 3/4 length for toe room, semi rigid for control and adjustable for modifications. The best place for a hockey orthotic is under the skate's insole for comfort, control and proper placement.
A heat moldable, direct contact orthotic from Atlas Biomechanics achieves all the above goals. It is only 1.3mm thick, fabricated with just a heat gun or toaster oven, a semi rigid shell and easily adjustable.
Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics
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