On-Ice and Off-Ice Fitness Profiles of Elite and U20 Male Ice Hockey Players of Two Different National Standards

Abstract

Differences in body composition and performance were investigated between elite and U20 male ice hockey players of two different national standards. 179 players were recruited from the highest Finnish (n=82) and Danish (n=61) national level. In addition, one U20 team from Finland (n=19) and Denmark (n=17) participated. Body composition and countermovement jump performance (CMJ) were measured off-ice in addition to on-ice assessments of agility, 10 and 30-m sprint performance and endurance capacity (the maximal Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 Ice Hockey Test, Yo-Yo IR1-IHmax). Large differences in on-ice performances were demonstrated between Finnish and Danish elite players for agility, 10 and 30-m sprint performance (2-3%, P≤0.05) and Yo-Yo-IR1-IHmax performance (15%, P≤0.05).In contrast, no differences (P>0.05) were present between elite players for CMJ ability or body composition. However, elite players possessed more body and muscle mass than U20 players.Finally, the Finnish U20 cohort had a similar performance level as the Danish elite players and superior 10-m sprint performance, whereas the Danish U20 level was inferior to the other groups in every performance assessment (P≤0.05). In conclusion, on-ice speed and endurance differ markedly between elite players of two national standards with no difference in body composition or CMJ ability. Moreover, the most consistent difference between U20 and senior elite players was related to body and muscle mass. These results highlight the usefulness of on-ice assessments and suggests the importance of on-ice high-intensity training in elite players in addition to training targeted the development of lean body mass in youth prospects.

Elite Adolescent Ice Hockey Players: Analyzing Associations between Anthropometry, Fitness, and On-Ice Performance

“…Taller and heavier male youth ice hockey players demonstrated better performance in many components (horizontal and vertical jump, grip strength, acceleration, and speed), where some results were not significant (change of direction, aerobic capacity, upper body power). Our significant results corroborated with previous studies [ 40 , 49 , 58 ] whereas anthropometry was related to some but not all off-ice fitness in youth and collegiate male hockey players. One result came more specifically to our attention: the significance of anthropometry on absolute maximal power produced during the vertical jump, while being insignificant on relative maximal power.…”

“…Based on that, we selected three tests to assess these attributes: (1) grip strength, which is considered as a classic fitness test in ice hockey [ 44 ], (2) the seated medicine ball throw [ 52 ], and (3) the chin-up (max repetitions) [ 38 ]. Considering the intermittent nature of ice hockey and its high physiological demands, we identified three variables that are frequently associated with hockey [ 30 , 49 ]: (1) aerobic capacity, (2) agility, and (3) sprinting. These variables are often found in scientific literature, as well in the culture of professional clubs and international teams.…”

“…Ice hockey is a late maturity sport, where talent identification is a complex process [ 48 ]. Evaluation of anthropometric characteristics plays a role in the selection process [ 35 , 38 , 49 ], as does the performance on the ice [ 7 , 29 ] in elite players. However, assessment of these variables, their relationship to performance and talent identification in young hockey players, has been less studied [ 12 , 34 ].…”

Fast Eccentric Movement Tempo Elicits Higher Physiological Responses than Medium Eccentric Tempo in Ice-Hockey Players

“…The CMJ was performed with both hands on the waist while making a downward movement approximately to 90° knee flexion followed by a maximum effort vertical jump. The investigators also encouraged the athletes verbally for maximum performance to reach peak velocity (V max in m/s) and peak power output (P max , W/kg) [ 33 , 34 ]…”

Associations between Testing and Game Performance in Ice Hockey: A Scoping Review

“…In this regard, Quinney et al [ 14 ] demonstrated the relevance and usefulness of off-ice testing by establishing the physical profile of a National Hockey League team across a period of 26 years. Testing can also be used to establish standards for teenage hockey players [ 15 ] and elite junior players [ 16 ], which allows their development to be observed from a long-term perspective [ 15 ]. Off-ice, functional performance tests are also used to assess the impact of training programs [ 17 , 18 ] and develop effective approaches to building training programs [ 19 ].…”