My best friend and I were talking the other day, and the conversation somehow got steered towards NHL players and the topic of chewing. Now, my friend was adamant that NHL players don’t chew anything while they’re playing, but I’m not so sure.
I can remember when I was a kid and there would be snippets of the games playing on our TV while my family was gathered around the living room rooting for our favorite players. During some of the big moments, I could have sworn I saw some of them chomping away on something right there on the ice, and I just couldn’t understand why.
I guess I was naive because it just seemed strange to me. After all, I was used to seeing kids on the playground with chewing gum stuck to their shoes, and I figured that the professional players shouldn’t be any different.
Little did I know that it was actually on purpose, and that there was more to it than just having a snack. cheap nhl jerseys players chew for a variety of reasons, and some are more beneficial than others.
At the top of the list is to help block out distress signals from the brain that tell a player they are feeling fatigued. This is done with the use of bubble gum or gum based energy supplements that players chew before, during, and after games. Obviously, this is an important function because it not only helps prevent players from feeling fatigued but also from letting their focus and attention to the game slip.
In a similar vein, some players also believe that chewing helps them to stay calm and focused during games. NHL players are in a high-stress environment, so anything that helps them stay focused on the task at hand is generally beneficial. While the science isn’t quite clear on this point yet, it appears that chewing helps to relax the body’s muscles, and therefore, keeps a player calm and focused.
Another reason why NHL players chew is to help them manage nervous energy. Some players are naturally very competitive, and they can often become a bit jittery when they step onto the ice. Chewing helps to manage this energy and keep the player relaxed while they play.
Finally, chewing can also help NHL players to increase their lung capacity. This is done by allowing the tongue to move freely while the player is taking deep breaths. Since hockey is a cardio-intensive sport, it makes sense that anything a player can do to increase their lung capacity would be beneficial.
The next time you’re watching an NHL game, take a closer look. You might spot a player’s jaw moving in a peculiar way. And if you are, it’s a safe bet that he’s chewing on some gum or an energy supplement of some kind.
Not only that, but I’d venture to guess that it’s helping significantly too. After all, these players are coached up to perform at the highest level, so if they’re taking the time to chew, then they must be getting some sort of benefit from it.
Though they may not be as obvious as the flashy breakaways and big saves, hockey players chew for good reason. It can be a way to reduce stress, calm nerves, and even increase their lung capacity. So if you take the time to really look, you might notice that hockey players are chewing a lot more than you would think.
Then you might begin to understand what I first noticed as a kid. Seeing professional hockey players chewing away while battling the clock to finish a game never made much sense to me. But now, having heard about the real reason for it, it all clicks.
I thought it was strange that NHL players chewed, until I heard what it was actually for. Now I know that they typically use gum or energy supplements to help block out distress signals from the brain, stay focused and calm, and even increase their lung capacity. That’s when I realized just how much this activity helps players perform at their peak levels.
This is why, in my opinion, chewing should be seen as an essential part of a hockey player’s game-day ritual. It’s become a habit that helps them play better and manage their performance. I’m sure the players wouldn’t have it any other way.
Chewing is much more than just a minor distraction for NHL players; it’s a way of life. It’s something that helps them stay in top condition and concentrate on their game, no matter the circumstances.
I’d venture to guess that if I hadn’t heard the real reason for why NHL players chew, I would have just assumed it was because they like the taste of gum. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. What I found out is that most players likely don’t even know why they’re chewing, they just know it helps them perform their best.
It’s moments like these when I wish I could understand what it’s like to be an nhl shop player. They must be so focused and determined that even the simplest activities become a ritual for them. Who knows, maybe they’ve even got the chewing thing outsourced to someone else on the team – now that’d be real dedication!