Simulated Game-Based Ice Hockey Match Design (Scrimmage) Elicits Greater Intensity in External Load Parameters Compared With Official Matches

Abstract

ObjectiveA limited number of studies have explored the external load experienced in indoor sports such as ice hockey, and few the link between training and match performance. As a paucity exists within this topic, this study explored whether a simulated match design (i.e., scrimmage) could be representative of official match demands and elicit similar external loads as in official matches in a group of elite youth male ice hockey players.MethodsA total of 26 players were monitored during eight official and four simulation matches using a Local Positioning System. Total distance, max velocity, slow (0–10.9 km/h), moderate (11–16.9 km/h), high (17.0–23.9 km/h), and sprint (>24 km/h) speed skating distance, distance per min, PlayerLoadTM, PlayerLoadTM per min, high-intensity events (HIEs) (>2.5 m/s−2), acceleration (ACCs), decelerations (DECs), and change of directions (CODs) were extracted from the tracking devices. A two-level regression analysis was conducted to compare the difference between match types when controlling for time on ice, match day, and position.ResultsBetween match-type results showed a credible difference in all variables except max velocity and ACCs. Distance per min was 27.3% higher during simulation matches and was explained by a 21.3, 24.1, and 14.8% higher distance in sprint-, high-, and moderate speed skating distance, while slow speed-skating distance was 49.2% lower and total distance only trivially different from official to simulation matches. Total PlayerLoadTM was 11.2% lower, while PlayerLoadTM per min was 8.5% higher during simulation matches. HIEs, CODs, and DECs were 10.0, 11.9, and 22.3% higher during simulation matches.ConclusionThe simulated match design is related to official match demands with comparable match-time, playing time, number of shifts, and shift duration. However, simulation matches provoked a higher external load output compared with official matches, possibly explained by a more continuous movement design. A game-based simulation match design can therefore be utilized when match-related actions at high intensity are warranted.

A Framework for the Standardization of Game Analysis in Ice Hockey

“…Understanding the game and training demands can lead to the development of game-replicating training programs and permit coaches to prescribe an optimal training dose that increases performance and minimizes risk of either overtraining or undertraining. Accordingly, research in ice hockey has utilized various methods of athlete monitoring such as video time-motion analysis, 2,4 heart rate (HR) monitoring, 3,[10][11][12][13][14][15] local positioning system technology, [16][17][18] and wearable sensor/ accelerometer technology. 1,[19][20][21][22][23][24] Primarily, these investigations have focused on the game demands, [2][3][4]16,18,19 but some studies have also included analyses on the training demands.…”

“…With the inclusion of technology for the tracking of players during competitive games, it is often the total time a player is positioned on the ice (ie, time positioned on ice) and not the effective playing time that is recorded (ie, inclusive of time that players are on ice but the puck is not in play). This is obvious when studies report "time on ice" to be in excess of 30 minutes (eg, Rago et al 14 and Byrkjedal et al 17 ), when the effective playing time in reality seldom exceeds 25 minutes in total. Accordingly, these terms have been developed to differentiate between the two.…”

“…3,4,[14][15][16]19,20 Accordingly, one can assume the rink size used based on the geographic location of the tournament (ie, North America or Europe). Only 2 studies 17,24 have specifically stipulated the rink size, while several studies have not provided sufficient information to determine the rink size used. 3,4,19,20 Because of the influence of the size of the playing arena on game demands, it is of utmost importance that ice hockey researchers clearly stipulate the rink size used.…”

The physiology of ice hockey performance: An update

“…Total distance covered during an elite ice hockey game amounts to 4–6 km, dependent primarily on time on ice, playing position and individual tactical role 1,2,11,12 . This is relatively little compared with other team sports where 2–3 times more distance is commonly covered 13,14 .…”

Gaussian mixture modeling of acceleration-derived signal for monitoring external physical load of tennis player

“…The inertial sensor can record three-dimensional acceleration at a high sampling frequency over long period (Sato et al, 2009;Wundersitz et al, 2015b;Cambers et al, 2015;Alexander et al, 2016;Spangler et al, 2018). The norm of acceleration or norm of change in acceleration is a major index of acceleration-derived physical loads and has been used as a valid and reliable index (Boyd et al, 2011;Bredt et al, 2020;Byrkjedal et al, 2022). These acceleration-derived physical loads have been evaluated as simple representatives, such as mean or cumulative values across the target interval (Rowlands et al, 2015;Bowen et al, 2017;Staunton et al, 2017;Gentles et al, 2018;Staunton et al, 2018;Reche-Soto et al, 2019).…”