September 24, 2011
Q&A WITH ... Cornell athletic trainer Ed Kelly
by Lyle Phair/Correspondent
Ed Kelly (photo: Cornell Athletics)
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.
Ed Kelly, a native of Kinderhook, N.Y., is beginning his 17th season as the Cornell men's hockey team's athletic trainer.
Kelly’s athletic training experience also includes two years at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (1993-95), where he worked with all 20 sports teams; as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at SUNY-Albany (1991-93); and at the 1994 NCAA men's basketball tournament, the 1993 National Victory Games, the Empire State Games (1988-94) and the 2001 men's Frozen Four in Albany, N.Y.
A 1991 graduate of Springfield College with a degree in athletic training and health education, Kelly earned his master of science degree at SUNY-Albany in 1993. He is also certified to teach health for grades 5-12 in Massachusetts and has earned a New York State Teacher Certificate of Qualification. He is a Frappier Acceleration Certified Administrator, allowing him to perform workouts for and instruct athletes on Cornell's ice hockey treadmill.
A certified member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association and the New York Athletic Trainers' Association, Kelly is also certified in CPR.
Kelly and his wife, Sonja, live in Ithaca, N.Y., with their son, Mason.
What are the biggest differences in their training regimens new players see when they arrive at Cornell?
The biggest thing they see is the change in intensity, and to some extent the volume of the workouts they experience changes. There is some mental differences as well, as they have to adjust to not necessarily being the fastest and strongest players in the room anymore.
What are some of the most common training mistakes you see with players new to the program?
We work with the student-athletes to correct poor technique. Often you see players trying to lift heavier things than they are capable of lifting at the time, to keep up with the upperclassmen.
If you had a list of a few top exercises to help young players improve their conditioning and injury prevention, what would they be?
First and foremost would be the importance of core flexibility. Also, I’m a proponent of yoga. One area we focus on specifically is the hip flexors.
What are the biggest dangers, conditioning-wise, to players preparing to begin a new hockey season?
The biggest danger is always overuse. Players don’t have a lot of time off for recovery, and the offseason seems to get shorter and shorter. If they aren’t on the ice, they are always trying to keep up with the conditioning.
What are the biggest changes in your field over the last five years?
I think you see where diagnostic testing is better, and there is more education among players and coaches in recognizing injuries. The understanding of injury prevention has also taken a step forward.
What are your biggest nutritional do’s and don’ts for players? How receptive are they to those do’s and don’ts?
Do’s – eat a variety of foods, eat often and exercise. Moderation is the key. Student-athletes are very receptive to these ideas, especially once they start seeing the results coming naturally.
Don’ts – players shouldn’t rely on supplements and magic pills to make them faster and stronger.
How does early-season training differ from midseason training at Cornell? Late-season training?
Early-season training is spent working on tapering off the summer program. At that point, they are as strong as they are going to be, and they need to lighten up as they head into the season.
As the season goes on, there is maintenance; late in the season, there is more rest built in for recovery.
What are some of the things you employ to help players improve their recovery time between games?
At Cornell, student-athletes get recovery drinks immediately following a game or practice. We use cold tubs and utilize a set cool-down routine. We find it best to get rest as soon as they can when we get into situations where we are playing games on back-to-back nights.
