Comparison of skating kinetics and kinematics on ice and on a synthetic surface

Abstract

The recent popularization and technological improvements of synthetic or artificial ice surfaces provide an attractive alternative to real ice in venues where the latter is impractical to install. Potentially, synthetic ice (SI) may be installed in controlled laboratory settings to permit detailed biomechanical analysis of skating manoeuvres. Unknown, however, is the extent to which skating on SI replicates skating on traditional ice (ICE). Hence, the purpose of this study was to compare kinetic and kinematic forward skating parameters between SI and ICE surfaces. With 11 male hockey players, a portable strain gauge system adhered to the outside of the skate blade holder was used to measure skate propulsive force synchronized with electrogoniometers for tracking dynamic knee and ankle movements during forward skating acceleration. In general, the kinetic and kinematic variables investigated in this study showed minimal differences between the two surfaces (P > 0.06), and no individual variable differences were identified between the two surfaces (P > or = 0.1) with the exception of greater knee extension on SI than ICE (15.2 degrees to 11.0 degrees; P < or = 0.05). Overall, SI surfaces permit comparable mechanics for on-ice forward skating, and thus offer the potential for valid analogous conditions for in-lab testing and training.

The Use of Simulation Training to Accelerate the Rate of Forward Ice Skating Skill Acquisition

“…The increased resistance may have disrupted the athlete's movement pattern, resulting in a greater level of self-organisation to overcome the resistance, which also affected and led to significant differences in medial and lateral angles (Magill, 2010). Similar movement pattern disruption was also found due to the disparity in the surface coefficient of friction in a study carried out by Stidwill et al, (2010). The subjects had a more upright trunk angle with increased stride frequency on synthetic ice surfaces compared to ice conditions.…”

“…The subjects had a more upright trunk angle with increased stride frequency on synthetic ice surfaces compared to ice conditions. Although these were minor differences in the study (Stidwill et al 2010) this demonstrated the effect resistance can have on the movement pattern when executed on frictionless surfaces (i.e., ice). High velocity speeds play a significant role in increasing joint range of motion, with Lafontaine (2007) and Buckeridge et al, (2015) suggesting joint motion amplitude is proportional to increases in velocity.…”

“…Several simulation training methods currently exist that emulate ice surfaces, such as synthetic ice panels, slide boards, and skating treadmills, which provide glide-like properties to help enhance skating mechanics (Stidwill et al,2010;Pies et al,1998;Dreger, 1997;Nobes et al2003). This allows skaters to replicate the movement patterns performed on ice in a different environment, thus continuing their skating development.…”

Whole-body predictors of wrist shot accuracy in ice hockey: a kinematic analysis

“…A frame rate of 240 Hz was used in this study since it was previously determined to yield the appropriate temporal resolution to capture the movement speed of reflective markers on the subject, stick and puck (MichaudPaquette et al, 2009). Experiments were conducted in the McGill biomechanics laboratory on a synthetic (Viking w , Toronto, Canada) ice surface of 60.8 m 2 To simulate the low friction surface of natural ice, the synthetic surface was sprayed with a silicone-based lubricant (Stidwill et al, 2010). Four targets (each 0.3 m £ 0.3 m) were framed by a durable wood surface covering the hockey net ( Figure 2).…”

Biofeedback Reaction-Time Training: Toward Olympic Gold

“…Similarly, factors relating to time, such as stroke time and glide time, combine with factors relating to push-off velocity and direction to become an index of technique (de Koning, Foster, Lampen, Hettinga, & Bobbert, 2005). External factors that are not in the control of the skater also influence skating performance on the ice such as the presence of indoor synthetic-polymer ice or the quality of equipment such as aerodynamic suits and clapskates or slapskates, each of which have enhanced the achievements of competitive speed skaters (May, 2000;Sanderson, 2002;Stidwill, Pearsall, & Turcotte, 2010). This article focuses mainly on factors in the control of the skater such as using a new biofeedback method for improving RT performance.…”