Skating start propulsion: three-dimensional kinematic analysis of elite male and female ice hockey players

Abstract

The forward skating start is a fundamental skill for male and female ice hockey players. However, performance differences by athlete's sex cannot be fully explained by physiological variables; hence, other factors such as skating technique warrant examination. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the body movement kinematics of ice hockey skating starts between elite male and female ice hockey participants. Male (n = 9) and female (n = 10) elite ice hockey players performed five forward skating start accelerations. An 18-camera motion capture system placed on the arena ice surface captured full-body kinematics during the first seven skating start steps within 15 meters. Males' maximum skating speeds were greater than females. Skating technique sex differences were noted: in particular, females presented ~10° lower hip abduction throughout skating stance as well as ~10° greater knee extension at initial ice stance contact, conspicuously followed by a brief cessation in knee extension at the moment of ice contact, not evident in male skaters. Further study is warranted to explain why these skating technique differences exist in relation to factors such as differences in training, equipment, performance level, and anthropometrics.

Flexibility in Spanish Elite Inline Hockey Players: Profile, Sex, Tightness and Asymmetry

“…These findings cannot be compared with the previous reports about the effects of the hockey modality on flexibility [25,36,37,58], because in these previous studies the differences according to the participants' sex were not evaluated. However, there are kinematic studies [54,57,59,60] on skating start propulsion and transition from start to maximum speed, which showed sex-specific differences in terms of velocity progression, as well as hip and knee joint angles. In particular, males demonstrated greater net positive acceleration during the initial accelerative steps, and greater hip abduction and knee flexion (~10 • ) from ice contact to push off [59].…”

“…However, there are kinematic studies [54,57,59,60] on skating start propulsion and transition from start to maximum speed, which showed sex-specific differences in terms of velocity progression, as well as hip and knee joint angles. In particular, males demonstrated greater net positive acceleration during the initial accelerative steps, and greater hip abduction and knee flexion (~10 • ) from ice contact to push off [59]. The results of the present study disagree with this justification.…”

“…The movements with the highest number of players with asymmetry were HIR (n = 8), HE (n = 6), HAD-HF (n = 6), KF (n = 4), ADF-KE (n = 2), HAB (n = 2), HER (n = 2), HAB-HF (n = 2) and HF-KF (n = 2) ROMs. Although the technical execution of this sport is symmetrical [59,60,64], unilateral muscle adaptations were found. Ice hockey skills include the general movement patterns of skating, stick handling, and checking [59,60,64].…”

“…Although the technical execution of this sport is symmetrical [59,60,64], unilateral muscle adaptations were found. Ice hockey skills include the general movement patterns of skating, stick handling, and checking [59,60,64]. It seems that the players have a greater ability with the dominant or non-dominant limb in each of the phases of the stride (glide, push off and recovery).…”

Joint Center Estimation Using Single-Frame Optimization: Part 2: Experimentation

“…Methods for human motion capture continue to improve in both accuracy and practicality, and as a result, motion capture is now being used in a multitude of areas, including healthcare, military, industry, sports, and animation [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Though many methods of motion capture have been developed (e.g., electromagnetic, mechanical/goniometric, radiographic), optical (marker-based) and inertial methods are currently among the most popular.…”