Straight speed and acceleration optimal distances and reference values. A systematic review, and meta-analyses

Abstract

Review question / Objective: To summarize the sprint reference acceleration and speed values for different sprint distances and suggest optimal unification of ice-hockey straight sprint testing. Eligibility criteria: The title and abstract screening was done by two researchers (PS and RR) who selected a set of articles for full text screening, where the inclusion criteria were: 1) male or female ice-hockey players; 2) any cross-sectional or intervention study; 3) tests of ice-hockey sprinting over any distance or any battery of conditioning tests that included straight-line sprints; and, 4) results reported straight-line sprint distance, speed, time, or acceleration. In the case of disagreement between the evaluating authors, the final decision was made by a third author (MV).The full text screening exclusion criteria were: 1) if the article was not in English; 2) the testing did not include straight-line sprinting; 3) the reported values did not include data distribution; 4) the study reported only maximum speed without skating time or average speed; 5) the end of the sprint was defined by the point the player stopped sprinting; 6) the measurement was made with a stopwatch; and, 7) the study had high bias estimation. The maximum speed test was not included due to the uncertain velocity conditions at beginning of testing distance. The bias estimation was performed using the JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies (supplementary material 1).