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Abstract

This retrospective study evaluated the effect of the off-season training on the physical performance changes in elite male ice hockey players U18 (junior team under 18 years). The present study secondarily established the physical profile of these players according to their playing position. The off-ice tests: 60 m sprint (s), 6x9 m run (s), 400 m run (s), 1500 m run (s), standing long jump (cm) and 1 RM bench-press (kg) were assessed before and after of training. In addition, individual values of the monitored parameters were divided and compared according to gaming position. Off-season intervention led to significant improvements in running performance in 6x9 m (P<.001; d=0.86), 400 m (P<.001; d=0.41), and 1500 m (P=0.001; d=0.38). The forwards demonstrated significant improvements in 6x9 m (P<.001; d=1.29), 400 m (P=0.001; d=0.39), and 1500 m run (P=0.002; d=0.62) following off-season training. The defenders demonstrated significant improvement only in 400 m run (P=0.03; d=0.45) following off-season training. Pre to post-season changes (∆) in 6x9m (P=0.01; d=0.55) were found between forwards and defenders. The off-season training seems to be an effective training regimen inducing significant improvements in running performance. However, this training failed to show significant improvements in physical performance in other tests. Results of this study identify physical factors that need to be improved in the pre-season period in players.