Physiology of Ice Hockey

Abstract

Ice hockey is characterized by high intensity intermittent skating, rapid changes in velocity and duration, and frequent body contact. The typical player performs for 15 to 20 minutes of a 60-minute game. Each shift lasts from 30 to 80 seconds with 4 to 5 minutes of recovery between shifts. The intensity and duration of a particular shift determines the extent of the contribution from aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. The high intensity bursts require the hockey player to develop muscle strength, power, and anaerobic endurance. The length of the game and the need to recover quickly from each shift demands a good aerobic system. Physical characteristics of elite players show that defensemen are taller and heavier than forwards probably due to positional demands. Hockey players are mesomorphic in structure. They are relatively lean since excess mass is detrimental to their skating performance. There is a large interindividual variability in VO2 during skating. Both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems are important during a hockey game. Peak heart rates during a shift on the ice exceed 90% of HRmax with average on-ice values of about 85% of HRmax. Blood lactate is elevated above resting values confirming the anaerobic nature of the game. Glycogen depletion studies show a preferential utilisation of glycogen from the slow twitch fibres but also significant depletion from the fast twitch fibres. Elite hockey players display a muscle fibre composition similar to untrained individuals. Physiological profiles of elite hockey teams reveal the importance of aerobic endurance, anaerobic power and endurance, muscular strength and skating speed. Training studies have attempted to improve specific components of hockey fitness. Using traditional laboratory tests, a season of hockey play shows gains in anaerobic endurance but no change in aerobic endurance. On-ice tests of hockey fitness have been recommended as an essential part of the hockey player's physiological profile. Existing training procedures may develop chronic muscular fatigue in hockey players. Lactic acidosis is associated with the onset and persistence of muscle fatigue. Muscle force output remains impaired throughout the hockey player's typical cycle of practices and games. A supplementary programme of low-intensity cycling during the competitive phase of training was unsuccessful in altering VO2max. Strength decrements during the hockey season are attributed to a lack of a specifically designed strength maintenance programmes. On-ice and off-ice training programmes should focus on the elevation of aerobic endurance, anaerobic power and endurance, muscular strength and skating speed.

Heart rate and time-motion analyses in top junior players during basketball matches

“…The differences between the results are similar to the value of calculated 95% limits of agreement, and thus, these differences are considered to be negligible. According to Matthew and Delextrat (2009), Krustrup, Mohr, and Ellingsgaard (2005), and Montgomery (1988), lower values of heart rate may be partly explained by the lower playing standard in the present study or by the physical fitness levels of the players.…”

Skate blade hollow and oxygen consumption during forward skating

“…On the treadmill, team averages for both forwards and defensemen ranged from 51.2 to 65.8 ml/kgmin. Montgomery, (1988) suggests that running on a treadmill produces mean values that are 10 % higher than those found on the cycle ergometer.…”

“…Many researchers have used heart rate to estimate the aerobic demands of playing hockey, (Montgomery, 2000). Despite this, it must be remembered that heart rate telemetry has limitations with regards to hockey.…”

“…In ice hockey, heart rate can be influenced by factors not related to the energy cost of the activity. These extraneous conditions include: a) emotions, b) upper body static contractions, c) the intermittent nature of play and d) the elevation of core body temperature because hockey equipment may limit heat dissipation (Montgomery, 1988). Seliger (1968) published the first heart rate data on-ice hockey.…”

“…Based on these results Seliger et al (1972) characterized ice hockey as, "an activity showing mostly submaximal metabolic rate with great participation of anaerobic metabolism (69 %), but simultaneously with high requirements for aerobic metabolism (31 %)". Several authors, (Montgomery, 1988;Green et al, 1976) have suggested that Seliger et al (1972) may have overestimated the contribution of anaerobic energy sources and underestimated the contribution of the aerobic energy system. The investigation of Green et al (1976) supports this notion.…”