A 26 year physiological description of a National Hockey League team

Abstract

The primary purpose of this investigation was to examine the physiological profile of a National Hockey League (NHL) team over a period of 26 years. All measurements were made at a similar time of year (pre-season) in 703 male (mean age +/- SD = 24 +/- 4 y) hockey players. The data were analyzed across years, between positions (defensemen, forwards, and goaltenders), and between what were deemed successful and non-successful years using a combination of points acquired during the season and play-off success. Most anthropometric (height, mass, and BMI) and physiological parameters (absolute and relative VO2 peak, relative peak 5 s power output, abdominal endurance, and combined grip strength) showed a gradual increase over the 26 year period. Defensemen were taller and heavier, had higher absolute VO2 peak, and had greater combined grip strength than forwards and goaltenders. Forwards were younger and had higher values for relative VO2 peak. Goaltenders were shorter, had less body mass, a higher sum of skinfolds, lower VO2 peak, and better flexibility. The overall pre-season fitness profile was not related to team success. In conclusion, this study revealed that the fitness profile for a professional NHL ice-hockey team exhibited increases in player size and anaerobic and aerobic fitness parameters over a 26 year period that differed by position. However, this evolution of physiological profile did not necessarily translate into team success in this particular NHL franchise.

The predictive value of on-ice special tests in relation to various indexes of aerobic and anaerobic capacity in ice hockey players

“…Analysis of the obtained results on aerobic and anaerobic capacity revealed that they were similar to the results obtained by other researchers worldwide [3,5,18,19].…”

Reliability of specific on-ice repeated-sprint ability test for ice-hockey players

“…The game is characterised by irregular changes between high and low intensity activities over very short periods of time (up to 10 s) with high-impact body contact. Low intensity activities are related to the recovery processes (Balsom, Seger, Sjodin, & Ekblom, 1992;Quinney et al, 2008;Vescovi, Murray, & VanHeest, 2006). Each on-ice shift last between 30 and 80 s interspersed with 2 to 5 min of recovery between shifts (Arnett, 1996;Quinney et al, *Address for correspondence: Karel Hůlka, Department of Sports, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University, tř.…”

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“…A comparison of the volume of exercise shows that training of young football players focuses especially on the development of aerobic endurance and playing skills. In young ice hockey players this particularly includes the development of a complex of strength, anaerobic capacity and agility (Brocherie et al, 2005;Burr et al, 2008;Hoff et al, 2005;Psotta et al, 2006;Quinney et al, 2008;Sigmund, Kohn, Sigmundová, in press;Stølen et al, 2005;Vescovi et al, 2006). With regard to the difference in the fitness training, one could assume different changes in selected morphological parameters.…”

“…On average, the players use 70-80% of their maximum aerobic power; there are differences due to various skating levels of individual players. Physiological demands on the players vary depending on the position of each player in the team (goalkeeper, defender, forward) and their playing style (Brocherie et al, 2005;Hoff et al, 2005;Manners, 2004;Montgomery, 2006;Quinney et al, 2008;Sigmund, Kohn, Sigmundová, in press;Vescovi et al, 2006). The facts mentioned above have an effect on the structure of sports training with regard to sports specialization.…”