Developing a hockey player's flexibility
Flexibility (joint mobility) is the player's ability to perform various movements with a large amplitude. This quality is necessary for a hockey player to freely perform technical moves in the game.
A distinction is made between active and passive flexibility.
Active flexibility is manifested in the maximum amplitude of movements performed independently due to the active work of muscles: contraction of synergists and corresponding stretching of antagonists, as well as tendons, ligaments. Active flexibility also depends on the state of the central nervous system, which coordinates the force of tension and relaxation of muscles.
Passive flexibility is determined by the maximum possible amplitude of movements performed with the help of some external forces (weights, partner, etc.). Passive flexibility depends entirely on the shape of the articular bones and the elasticity of the tendons, ligaments and stretched muscles. Passive flexibility is always greater than active flexibility, and in most cases its increase creates the prerequisites for increasing the amplitude of active movements.
Flexibility changes significantly under the influence of fatigue, with active flexibility indicators decreasing and passive ones increasing. Flexibility exercises improve the elasticity of muscles, tendons, ligaments, strengthen them, which serves as a good prevention of injuries to all joints. In order to prevent a decrease in active flexibility under the influence of fatigue and other unfavorable factors, it is necessary to have a certain "reserve" of flexibility. This will prevent undesirable changes in the structure of the technique, which may be associated with a decrease in the amplitude of movements. In the annual training cycle, flexibility is developed at all stages of preparation.