Physical Characteristics of Elite Male Bandy Players

Abstract

Physical characteristics of elite male bandy players have not been studied for the last 30 years. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical characteristics of elite male bandy players with respect to playing positions. A cross-sectional study was performed that included 25 male bandy players from one of the highest-ranked bandy leagues in the world. Body weight, length, isometric mid-thigh pull, countermovement jump, squat jump, unilateral long jump, bilateral long jump, 15- and 30-m sprint, 15-m flying sprint, and VO2max were tested. Players were divided into forwards, midfielders, and defenders. Forwards had significantly (p = 0.012) higher relative VO2max than defenders (59.8 ± 4.3 compared to 53.0 ± 5.6 mL/kg/min). No significant differences for any of the other measurements were observed between positions. This is the first study to present the physical characteristics between playing positions in off- and on-ice tests for male bandy players competing at the highest level. Today’s bandy players are heavier and have lower relative VO2max compared with players in the early 1990s. However, their work capacities have increased since their absolute VO2max is higher. These results provide benchmark values that can serve as a foundation for strength and conditioning professionals when designing future training programs.

Sprint skating profile of competitive female bandy players: An analysis of positional and playing-level differences

“…Moreover, there is only one study recently published that investigated physical characteristics (e.g., body mass and height, aerobic power, lower-body power and strength) of elite male bandy players across playing positions. In brief, Petré et al (2022) found only superior VO 2max in forwards compared to defenders, while there were no significant differences for any other measurements between playing positions. However, as in our sample of women, defenders in their study were heavier than forwards, even though the difference was not significant (86.5 ± 8.3 kg vs 83.1 ± 7.8 kg, respectively).…”

“…Therefore, it is impossible to compare the anthropometrics and skating performance data from the current study to any previous research. However, the results can be compared to the findings of previous studies that investigated only elite male bandy players ( Blomqvist et al, 2018 ; Johansson et al, 2021 ; Persson et al, 2021 ; Petré et al, 2022 ). In general, both senior and junior female players from the current study were lighter and shorter (63.2 ± 7.4 kg and 1.67 ± 0.06 m) than the elite male bandy players from previous studies (82.8 ± 4.2 kg and 1.81 ± 0.04 m ( Johansson et al, 2021 ; Persson et al, 2021 ); (83.8 ± 7.6 and 182.4 ± 6.6; ( Petré et al, 2022 ).…”

“…However, the results can be compared to the findings of previous studies that investigated only elite male bandy players ( Blomqvist et al, 2018 ; Johansson et al, 2021 ; Persson et al, 2021 ; Petré et al, 2022 ). In general, both senior and junior female players from the current study were lighter and shorter (63.2 ± 7.4 kg and 1.67 ± 0.06 m) than the elite male bandy players from previous studies (82.8 ± 4.2 kg and 1.81 ± 0.04 m ( Johansson et al, 2021 ; Persson et al, 2021 ); (83.8 ± 7.6 and 182.4 ± 6.6; ( Petré et al, 2022 ). These differences can be attributed to well-documented sex differences in general, with the average man being taller (≈13 cm), heavier (14–18 kg), and with more muscle mass (18–22 kg) and less fat mass (three to six kg) than the average woman ( Kenney et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Everything we know about the nature of the bandy game is based on a few older ( Häkkinen and Sinnemäki, 1990 ; Häkkinen and Sinnemäki, 1991 ) and recent studies ( Blomqvist et al, 2018 ; Johansson et al, 2021 ; Persson et al, 2021 ; Petré et al, 2022 ) conducted with male players. Accordingly, we know that bandy is a high-intensity intermittent sport that requires players to repeatedly engage in sequences of intense skating activities (e.g., sprinting, changes of direction, acceleration, deceleration) on the bandy pitch ( Blomqvist et al, 2018 ; Johansson et al, 2021 ; Persson et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Furthermore, recent studies have revealed that the total distance covered in bandy can vary between playing positions, with defending players covering more distance (23.2 ± 2.4 km) than offensive players (21.1 ± 3.5 km), but at a lower mean skating velocity ( Blomqvist et al, 2018 ; Persson et al, 2021 ). These differences probably contribute to superior aerobic power (i.e., VO 2max ) in forwards compared to defenders (59.8 ± 4.3 and 53.0 ± 5.6 mL/kg/min, respectively) ( Petré et al, 2022 ). In addition, elite players cover a distance of 450 m performing high- and very high-intensity accelerations and decelerations, skating ≈2.4 km very fast and ≈600 m sprinting during a match play ( Johansson et al (2021) .…”