An important rule is to train the way the game is played.

Training on a skating treadmill has existed for about 30 years, with proponents suggesting it can improve skating biomechanics and fitness.

However, there is little objective evidence that skating uphill on a treadmill improves game-performance skating. There is some evidence that skating uphill on a treadmill may be useful for improving “skating fitness.” Skating treadmill training has evolved to use more game-performance skating and puck-handling, passing, and shooting.

Differences between skating on ice and a treadmill

The main difference between skating on ice and skating on a treadmill is that all hockey rinks are flat, whereas many skating treadmill training protocols have players skating uphill.

In some European countries (Russia and Slovakia specifically) the training protocol of skating treadmills (called “Skate Mills”) is to have the players skate primarily on a flat treadmill, and not as much uphill.

In North America, the training protocol of skating uphill can be questioned because it does not adhere to the rule of specificity of training. An important rule of training for a sport is to train as close to the way the game is played.

The plastic treadmill surface has a higher coefficient of friction than ice, therefore skating on a treadmill requires more exertion because the plastic is not as slippery as ice. Skating on a treadmill either uphill or flat may be better used for conditioning rather than improving skating performance. Having said that, if a player is skating on a flat treadmill there would be similarities to skating on ice.

Skating uphill changes the skating stride

When skating uphill on a treadmill, the movements change so that there is more hip extension (pushing backward) and less hip abduction (pushing to the side).

Using more hip extension is necessary to maintain position on the uphill treadmill, ie. the player has to push backward to stay up on the treadmill. When a player uses more hip extension it causes a narrow stride which is a characteristic of a slow hockey player. Therefore, skating uphill uses a different movement pattern than skating on ice which would impact the way a player skates when he or she gets back on the ice.

It has been my experience when working with the University of Alberta women’s hockey team that when some of the players trained on a skating treadmill during the summer, in training camp they had to “re-learn” how to have a wide stride, quick recovery, and move their arms side-to-side. As such, training on a treadmill can cause performance decrements rather than enhancing skating performance.

These differences in skating mechanics are corroborated by researchers who do studies with players on treadmills. Some researchers justify their investigations by suggesting that skating on a two-degree incline simulates on-ice skating conditions. There is no hockey rink in the world that is uphill therefore it does not simulate skating on ice.

The other concern is that many coaches who train players on treadmills teach players to have a long “sweeping” recovery (decreasing stride rate and increase recovery time), similar to speed skaters, and to move their arms forward-backward. These are characteristics of slower hockey players.

Therefore, many players are being taught to skate contrary to the way fast players skate. However, this is no different than on-ice skating coaches teaching players to skate wrong.

Evolution of skating treadmills

For most of the time that skating treadmills have been in existence, the primary movement has been to skate straight, and in many cases uphill. Skating on a treadmill has evolved so that now players are practicing more characteristics on treadmills and it makes the training more game-like. Players still skate straight and uphill, but they are adding the following into the training:

• Linear crossovers
• Backward skating
• Puck-handling while skating on the treadmill
• Giving and receiving passes while skating on the treadmill
• Shooting while skating on the treadmill
• Body contact while skating on the treadmill with the coach pushing the player with a football blocking pad

Advantages and disadvantages of skating on treadmills

Advantages

• Skating on the plastic treadmill surface can be a good conditioning tool because it takes more effort to skate on a surface with a higher coefficient of friction than ice.
• Skating uphill can also be a good conditioning tool.
• Players can handle a puck, receive passes, and shoot while skating on a treadmill.
• Players and coaches can analyze skating biomechanics when skating on a flat treadmill.
• A treadmill can be in the same training facility used for strength and conditioning, therefore it can be “one stop training” so-to-speak.
• Players can practice some game-performance skating characteristics:
  • Forward stride
  • Linear cross-overs
  • Backward skating
  • Backward linear cross-overs
  • Pivots
  • Acceleration
  • Two-foot gliding
  • “Crosby” mohawk turns

Disadvantages

• Skating uphill changes the biomechanics of the stride and can cause a player to learn skating characteristics of slow hockey players: narrow stride and long recovery.
• Only one player can skate on a treadmill at a time while the other players stand and wait their turn. This can make treadmill skating not time-efficient. It can put the cost benefit ratio into question.
• Players skating on a treadmill can only practice 8 of 27 skating characteristics.
• Players have to be attached to a harness.
• In many cases players are being taught to skate incorrectly using movements that are contrary to how fast players skate: long recovery, decreased stride rate, and moving arms forward-backward.
• Players skating on a treadmill cannot practice one-on-one skating drills with a partner.

Conclusion

It is suggested that in order to be a good skater it is best to practice the way we play. This can best be done on ice.

When a coach and player are on the ice, all the game-performance skating characteristics can be practiced. Also, the player can work on his or her performance decrements. Skating training on ice can be cost effective if there is a small group which shares in the cost of ice and the coaching fee.

However, training on a treadmill can be different and fun for players. Treadmill training appears to be cost effective considering there is no ice to rent. And when skating on a treadmill, players can practice some of the important skating characteristics.