Functional Performance Tests, On-Ice Testing and Game Performance in Elite Junior Ice Hockey Players

Abstract

This study aimed to explore relationships between fitness, on-ice physical abilities and game performance among elite junior male ice hockey players. Twenty-one major junior ice hockey players (18.9 ± 1.4 years old) participated in the study. Measures including five fitness tests (anthropometric measures, pull up test, bench press test, broad jump, vertical jump) and three on-ice skating tests (multi-stage aerobic skating test, 44-m sprint test, and backward skating test) were assessed during their pre-season training camp. Game performance metrics (collected during the regular season) were collected using InStat software. Results of the (on-ice and off-ice) functional performance test protocol and on-ice tests were analyzed by evaluating correlation coefficients in multiple areas of game performance: 1) physical implication (body checks), 2) offensive contribution (expected goals for, types of zone entries), and 3) defensive actions (blocked shots, expected goals against). They revealed that performance in the broad jump test was associated with skating speed. Some significant correlations were also observed between on-ice test performance indicators such as received body checks, expected goals and blocked shots. In summary, results indicate that on-ice test protocols were associated with players’ performance in multiple aspects of the game. Partial correlation analyses revealed that some of these relationships were specific to the player's position. Forward skating was associated with forwards’ offensive play, and backward skating was specifically related with defensemen’s performance (offense and defense). The addition of on-ice physical tests appears essential for interpreting the results of ice hockey players' physical tests and integrating these results into players’ physical preparation and the in-season follow-up.

Maximum Strength and Power as Determinants of Match Skating Performance in Elite Youth Ice Hockey Players

“…This indicates the importance of sprinting speed and acceleration in ice hockey performance. Even if these actions seem subsidiary in comparison with the total skating distance of 4,600-5,600 m (6,15), they are important for scoring goals, winning, or losing duels or even for the final outcome of the game (4,15).…”

“…Studies including male and female college ice hockey players showed explained variance ranging from 4 to 55% examining the relationship between various maximum strength measures and on-ice linear sprint of various distances (6-44.8 m) (10,13,17,20). In addition, some studies showed 1-72% explained variance for off-ice performances (various jumps [loaded and unloaded/vertical and horizontal]) with on-ice linear sprint performances (6-55 m) at differing performance levels (youth, subelite, and professional) (4,5,10,14,16,17,20). However, more important for sports practice is whether these findings are also reflected in game performance.…”

Maximum strength and power as determinants of on-ice sprint performance in elite U16 to adult ice hockey players

“…The total distance covered during a game is about 4600 m, of which 2042 m is at high intensity in roughly 15 min [ 2 ]. Therefore, higher sprint performance in 10–30 m sprint seems to be correlated with higher playing level [ 3 , 4 ], leading to benefits in winning the puck [ 2 , 5 ].…”

“…This heterogeneity in correlations could be due to large differences in study design and partially small sample sizes (high sampling error). Additionally, some studies show correlations of r = |0.09|-|0.85| for off-ice performances (different jumps [loaded and unloaded/vertical and horizontal]) with on-ice linear sprint (6–55 m) performances in different performance levels (youth, sub-elite and professional) [ 5 , 17 – 21 ].…”

Lower Limb Skeletal Robustness Determines the Change of Directional Speed Performance in Youth Ice Hockey

“…Factors influencing change of directional speed (COD) have been assessed in several sports disciplines, such as rugby ( Gabbett, 2006 ; Meir et al, 2001 ), soccer ( Maly et al, 2014 ; Sporis et al, 2010 ), and basketball ( Horicka and Simonek, 2019 ; Horníková and Zemková, 2022 ; Šeparović and Nuhanović, 2008 ); however, factors influencing COD in ice hockey have not been assessed. In ice hockey, COD studies ( Delisle-Houde et al, 2019 ; Gupta et al, 2022 ; Madden et al, 2019 ) have focused on the relationship between on-ice and off-ice scores ( Novák et al, 2019 ; Perez et al, 2021 ; Secomb et al, 2021 ; Wagner et al, 2021 ), performance levels ( Kokinda et al, 2012 ; Roczniok et al, 2016a ; Vigh-Larsen et al, 2021 ; Vigh-Larsen et al, 2020 ), or relationships between COD and match performance ( Daigle et al, 2022 ; Schwesig et al, 2021 ; Williams and Grau, 2020 ). Therefore, the structural basis of ice hockey COD, such as general off-ice conditions and anthropometric characteristics, remains unclear.…”