Investigation of Positional Differences in Fitness of Male University Ice Hockey Players and the Frequency, Time Spent and Heart Rate of Movement Patterns during Competition

Abstract

Background: Men’s university ice hockey has received little scientific attention over the past 30 years, a time in which the traits of the players and the demands of the game have evolved. Objectives: This study compared the physiological characteristics of university ice hockey players and examined the frequency and duration of the different movement patterns and heart rate (HR) responses during competition. Methods: Twenty male ice hockey players from the same team ( age ± SD = 22±2 years) underwent a fitness evaluation and were filmed and HR monitored during regular season games. Results: Forwards and defense had similar fitness and only differed on % fatigue index and peak heart during on-ice sprinting (P<0.05). Defense stood, glided and skated backwards more than forwards and forwards skated at a moderate intensity and glided forward more than defense (P<0.05). All players spent the majority of game time gliding forward (60% of the time) followed by skating forward at a moderate intensity (17%) and standing with little movement (9%). Average HR during the game reached 96 and 92 % and peak HR was 100 and 96 % of maximum in forwards and defense, respectively. Conclusions: Male university hockey players present with a high level of physical fitness in a variety of categories with few differences between forwards and defense. Movement patterns during games suggest that players are performing low to moderate intensity on-ice activities the majority of the time. Paradoxically, HR continues to climb to near maximum during on ice shifts.

Whey Protein Isolate Supplementation While Endurance Training Does Not Alter Cycling Performance or Immune Responses at Rest or After Exercise

“…Subsequently, PO was increased by 40 W every 2 min by increasing the resistance setting but maintaining the pedal rpm until a systematic increase (breakpoint) in the ventilatory equivalent for VCO 2 was observed on the graphical display of the metabolic measurement system software (25, 26). PO was then increased by 40 W every minute until volitional exhaustion was reached (27). Respiratory gas exchange was measured using a Rudolph valve and head gear apparatus (Hans Rudolph Inc., Shawnee Mission, USA) and a metabolic measurement system (Medgraphics CPX™, St. Paul, USA).…”

“…The oxygen uptake associated with the breakpoints for the ventilatory equivalent of VO 2 (VT1) and VCO 2 (VT2) was determined from the graphical display of these relationships after agreement by two different investigators (25, 26). Peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak) was defined as the highest VO 2 reached prior to exhaustion (27). Heart rate (HR) was measured every minute using a Polar® T31 HR monitor (Polar Electro, Finland).…”

Associations between Testing and Game Performance in Ice Hockey: A Scoping Review

“…In complement to off-ice functional performance tests, on-ice tests are useful as for determining the physiological demands of hockey. For example, attributes such as aerobic capacity [ 20 ], the ability to perform repeated sprints [ 21 , 22 ] and other ice hockey’s physiological demands [ 23 , 24 ] have been observed and defined by scholars.…”

Differences in Physical Demands Among Offensive and Defensive Players in Elite Men Bandy

“…Bandy has also similarities to ice hockey regarding the skating movement pattern which includes high-intensity skating, direction changes, and rest periods such as gliding. It has been shown that a combination of dynamic skating movement, shooting, and passing are important qualities in ice hockey (Jackson et al, 2017) and it is reasonable to believe that same fundamental qualities are important in bandy. In ice hockey, it has been demonstrated that offensive position (forwards) has higher anaerobic capacity in relation to defensive players (Douglas et al, 2019).…”

“…In ice hockey, it has been demonstrated that offensive position (forwards) has higher anaerobic capacity in relation to defensive players (Douglas et al, 2019). It has also been shown that offensive position (forwards) spends more time in high-intensity skating and glided for a longer time in relation to defensive players (Douglas et al, 2019;Jackson et al, 2017).…”