July 5, 2011
Q&A with ... Niagara University athletic trainer Scott Mastrobattista
by Lyle Phair/Correspondent
EDITOR’S NOTE: Each month, New York Hockey Journal takes you around the region to get training tips from the top athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches.
Scott Mastrobattista is coming off his sixth season as the associate athletic trainer at Niagara University, where he works with the men’s hockey team.
Mastrobattista came to Niagara after spending five years as assistant athletic trainer at Fredonia State. He was the lead trainer for the men’s hockey team and helped with the other athletic squads. Mastrobattista also taught courses in care and prevention of athletic injuries.
Mastrobattista earned his master’s degree in school counseling at Niagara in 2000 and, as a graduate assistant athletic trainer, worked with the Purple Eagles’ women’s hockey, men’s soccer and softball teams.
A graduate from Brockport State in 1994, Mastrobattista is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, the New York State Athletic Trainers Association and the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association. Mastrobattista earned his NATA certification in 1994 and his New York certification in 1998, and is certified by the American Red Cross in CPR/AED.
Mastrobattista resides in Lakeview, N.Y., with his wife, Kathy.
What are the biggest differences in their training regimens players see when they arrive at Niagara?
Most of our players come from junior hockey where they do not attend classes. By becoming a student-athlete at Niagara, the difference that I see is in the intensity and speed of training sessions and drills to maximize time. This allows them to balance the demands of being a student and an athlete.
What are some of the most common training mistakes you see with new players?
1. An improper lifting technique, which puts them at an increased risk of injury;
2. Not enough attention to a proper warm-up and stretching routine;
3. Too much emphasis on the major muscle groups and not enough attention on abdominal strength and balance in the core, hips, and scapular stabilizers.
If you had a list of a few top exercises to help young players improve their injury prevention, what would they be?
1. Strengthening with a four-way neck machine (to help prevent whiplash concussion injuries);
2. Functional core and hip training exercises (i.e. planks, stability ball and medicine ball exercises);
3. Balance training on a wobble board or Bosu ball.
When the season ends, how much time do you recommend players take off before they start training again?
I would say three to four weeks to give their bodies time to heal from the rigors of the season and to re-energize without losing a lot of their fitness level.
As players head into summer, what’s an often-overlooked part of offseason training?
I believe that most players focus too much on strength and over-look the importance of flexibility, cardiovascular, and balance training.
What’s a good alternative for players who want to skate, but can’t?
Speed and agility training and skill development drills, which help with coordination, flexibility and balance.
What are you’re biggest do’s and don’ts when it comes to nutrition?
Make sure that you have a proper balance between protein, carbohydrates and fats by eating a well-balanced diet opposed to supplementation.
Proper hydration is also a major factor. I also tell my athletes to limit alcohol intake.
What are the worst things a player can do, training-wise, between seasons?
One thing that I tell my players to limit is riding a bike, because it shortens the hip flexors. I steer them toward sprint training, which promotes the speed and explosiveness required for ice hockey.
