The purpose of this study was to identify the stationary ''wrist shot'' technique (movement patterns) of the ice hockey stick that corresponds to the accuracy of puck trajectory. A total of 25 subjects participated in this study, ranging from high to low caliber players. Each performed ten successful wrist shots at four targets (two top corners, two bottom corners). Performances were evaluated by recording the movements of the stick's shaft and blade and of the puck with a 3D motion capture system at 240 Hz. Kinematics of the shaft and blade of the hockey stick were examined using a multiple regression analysis to predict accuracy scores. In general, the results indicated that accuracy corresponded to release parameters (both puck release orientation and velocity), shaft bending and change in blade orientations; though, parameter weighting differed substantially for top versus bottom targets. Future studies are warranted to identify the whole body kinematic patterns associated with the hockey stick kinematics.
The purpose of this study was to identify joint angular kinematics that corresponds to shooting accuracy in the stationary ice hockey wrist shot. Twenty-four subjects participated in this study, each performing 10 successful shots on four shooting targets. An eight-camera infra-red motion capture system (240 Hz), along with passive reflective markers, was used to record motion of the joints, hockey stick, and puck throughout the performance of the wrist shot. A multiple regression analysis was carried out to examine whole-body kinematic variables with accuracy scores as the dependent variable. Significant accuracy predictors were identified in the lower limbs, torso and upper limbs. Interpretation of the kinematics suggests that characteristics such as a better stability of the base of support, momentum cancellation, proper trunk orientation and a more dynamic control of the lead arm throughout the wrist shot movement are presented as predictors for the accuracy outcome. These findings are substantial as they not only provide a framework for further analysis of motor control strategies using tools for accurate projection of objects, but more tangibly they may provide a comprehensive evidence-based guide to coaches and athletes for planned training to improve performance.
The goal of this research was to develop a method to quantify the dynamic strain profile (DSP) of an ice hockey stick shaft and assess the potential influence of player skill and stick shaft stiffness on DSP during slap (SS) and wrist shots (WS). Seventeen adult males performed shots with two different stick stiffness' on synthetic ice. Subjects were subdivided as high (HC) and low calibre (LC). Dependent measures included strain measures from five strain gauge pairs along the shaft length recorded at 10 kHz. In general, this approach was sufficiently sensitive to clearly distinguish between shot types (strains SS [ WS), player calibre (strains HC [ LC) and stick models (strain flex77 [ flex102) as well as to identify within stick deflection differences along the shaft. This strain based analysis has a time and spatial resolution undetected by common motion capture based systems.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.