This study examined the energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intakes of female ice hockey players over a 7-d period including game, practice, and rest days. Twenty-three female varsity players (19.0 ± 1.1 yr, 167.1 ± 6.5 cm, 67.0 ± 8.0 kg) volunteered for the study. Average total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) was estimated over the 7-day period. Average 7-day energy intake (EI) and TDEE were 2354 ± 353 and 2304 ± 204 kcal. The majority (n = 19) of athletes had an EI ≥ 90% of their estimated TDEE. Macronutrient intake was 52% carbohydrate (CHO), 32% fat, and 16% protein of total EI, although CHO intake was slightly below recommendations (5 g/kg BM/d) on game and practice (4.8 ± 1.4 and 4.5 g/kg BM/d) days. Game day EI was greater than practice and rest days. Recommended micronutrient intakes were not met by most athletes for iron, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium, and intakes were similar between game, practice, and rest days. In summary, the average EI for female varsity ice hockey players appeared adequate to meet their energy needs over a weekly cycle of game, practice, and rest days. However, these female athletes would benefit from increasing CHO intake on game and practice days and selecting foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals.

PurposeThis randomized, double-blind, crossover study examined the effects of mouth-rinsing (MR) with a carbohydrate (CHO) vs. a placebo (PLA) solution on external and internal loads in hydrated ice hockey players during regulation and overtime (OT) periods of an on-ice scrimmage.MethodsTwelve skilled male hockey players (22.6 [3.4] years, 178.9 [4.7] cm, 84.0 [6.5] kg) played three 20-min regulation periods and one 12-min OT period of small-sided 3-on-3 scrimmage. Skaters repeated 2 min shift and rest intervals. Participants mouth rinsed with 25 mL of CHO or PLA solution approximately every 10 min for a total of 7 rinses. A local positioning system (LPS) tracked external load variables including speed, distance, acceleration, and deceleration. Internal load was monitored with heart rate (HR) sensors and a rating of perceived exertion (RPE).ResultsDuring regulation play, both the conditions developed similar fatigue, with significantly decreased high-intensity distance, average speed and decelerations, and increased RPE, from period 1 to 2 and 3. In OT, CHO MR increased the distance skated at high-intensity (224 [77], 185 [66] m, p = 0.042), peak speed (24.6 [1.6], 23.7 [1.3] km·h−1, p = 0.016), number of sprints (1.9 [1.2], 1.2 [0.9], p = 0.011), and decreased distance skated at slow speed (300 [33], 336 [47], p = 0.034) vs. PLA MR. OT RPE was similar between the two conditions in spite of more work done in CHO MR.ConclusionsCHO MR may be a valuable practice to protect against decrements in external load with increased playing time in ice hockey, and possibly allows athletes to perform more work relative to perceived levels of exertion.

PURPOSE:To determine prevalence of American children and youth meeting the recommendation of the physical activity (PA) guidelines using the data of the 2012 NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS 2012). METHODS:The weighted physical activity data (N = 41,159,799, 51% boys for 6-15 yr. old) collected using ActiGraph in NNYFS 2012 were analyzed to determine the prevalence of meeting the recommendation of the PA guidelines. Specifically, after the released data in Monitor-Independent Movement Summary (MIMS) unit were converted to the MIMS-EQ-Count, an equivalent of ActiGraph count, based on the results of a test equating study by Qin et al. (2021), the prevalence was computed using the cutoff scores by Chandler et al. (2015) originally developed for 8-12 yr. old. RESULTS: Unexpected, very high pass rates (1 = 100%) were observed based on the daily 120 min (SHAPE America, 2020) moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA) and 180 min PA, including 60 min MVPA (WHO, 2019) cutoffs (Boys, Girls, Total). The extremely high passing rates observed were likely caused by the wrist site, where ActiGraph was worn, employed in NNYFS 2012 and the noise movements by hands (e.g., playing the computer games) that were mistakenly classified as MVPA. Using MIMS, rather than ActiGraph counts, as the unit of the data was another problem since MIMS' PA intensity cutoff scores have not been established and validated. Together, due to failing to create trustful MVPA data and passing rates, these two flaws made PA data from NNYFS 2012 less meaningful and useful. CONCLUSIONS: The extremely high prevalence of US children and youth meeting PA recommendations in NNYFS 2012 was likely caused by two major flaws when collecting PA by wearing ActiGraph on wrist and releasing the data in MIMS unit.