A Comparative Study of Two-Minute versus Three-Minute Passive Recovery on Sprint Skating Performance of Ice Hockey Forwards and Defensemen

Abstract

The impact of two different passive recovery durations, two and three minutes, between sets of repeated sprint skating ability (RSSA) test on skating speed, speed decrement (Sdec), and heart rate (HR) response of ice hockey forwards (n = 12) and defensemen (n = 7) were determined. Six sets of 3 × 80 m sprint, with two-minute passive recovery between two consecutive sets, were performed in RSSA-2. A three-minute passive recovery period between two consecutive sets was allowed in RSSA-3. Skating speed, Sdec, and HR were measured in all tests. Subjects skated faster (p < 0.05) in most of the RSSA-3 sets than the corresponding set of RSSA-2. Defensemen were slower (p < 0.05) than forwards in most of the cases. The Sdec was higher in defensemen than in forwards, although the difference was significant occasionally. No difference in peak HR and minimum HR between forwards and defensemen was found. RSSA-3 is beneficial over RSSA-2 in both forwards and defensemen by increasing speed. Defensemen are slower and show early fatigability than forwards, and no difference in HR response was noted between forwards and defensemen. This study concludes that three-minute recovery is beneficial over two-minute recovery by increasing skating speed, although Sdec and HR response neither vary significantly between RSSA-2 and RSSA-3, nor between forwards and defensemen.

The science and art of testing in ice hockey: a systematic review of twenty years of research

“…However, this ability to repeat such intense efforts involves both aerobic (e.g., high number of repetitions, 60 s or less brief and partial recovery) and anaerobic (e.g., short duration intense efforts less than 10 s) energy systems at the same time. RSSA is therefore considered an important attribute of the sport in ice hockey ( 48 , 52 ). Furthermore, we are aware that hockey skills are a key component of the toolbox a hockey player uses to excel during a game.…”

The physiology of ice hockey performance: An update

“…Yet the brief on-ice bouts and ensuing high work-to-rest ratios adopted for forwards and defensemen (differing between positional roles 1,2 ) provide substantial indirect evidence of the inability to sustain performance for long durations and the necessity of extended rest periods following each on-ice shift. To assess the ability to sustain performance during repeated on-ice repeated-sprint work simulating a shift, Stanula et al 109 exposed players to six shift simulations interspersed with 2-min or 3-min recovery periods, the former leading to performance detriments, while the latter enabling sustained performance. The etiology of fatigue during the type of high-intensity exercise inherent in ice hockey is likely multifaceted, including metabolic and ionic perturbations in the exercising muscles, as well as potential alterations manifesting and/or having their origin at the level of the central nervous system.…”

“…Yet the brief on‐ice bouts and ensuing high work‐to‐rest ratios adopted for forwards and defensemen (differing between positional roles 1,2 ) provide substantial indirect evidence of the inability to sustain performance for long durations and the necessity of extended rest periods following each on‐ice shift. To assess the ability to sustain performance during repeated on‐ice repeated‐sprint work simulating a shift, Stanula et al 109 exposed players to six shift simulations interspersed with 2‐min or 3‐min recovery periods, the former leading to performance detriments, while the latter enabling sustained performance.…”