Time-motion and physiological assessments of ice hockey performance

Abstract

Ice hockey performance was studied during 10 contests to assess time-motion characteristics and associated physiological changes that occur for each position. Depending on the position played, the actual playing time per game for forwards and defensemen ranged between 20.7 and 28.0 min. The number of shifts ranged from 14 to 21 with an average playing time of 85.4 s/shift. Further analysis of each shift indicated that there was an average of 2.3 play stoppages which averaged 27.1 s, producing a continuous playing time of 39.7 s. Telemetered recordings of heart rate during each shift revealed sustained rates of between 170 and 174 beats/min over the three periods of the game. For both the forwards and defensemen, values for blood lactates were highest during the first and second periods (x = 78.0 and 66.1 mg/100 ml), then declined considerably during the third period (x = 44.5 mg/100 ml). Blood glucose showed a similar tendency (x = 139.3, 133.7, 114.1 mg/100 ml), while hematocrit and total protein showed little tendency to change.

Skate blade hollow and oxygen consumption during forward skating

“…It therefore becomes necessary to either simulate game conditions in order to measure oxygen consumption, as was done by Seliger et al (1972) or to predict oxygen consumption from heart rate data collected during actual games as was done by Green et al (1976). Green et al (1976) collected time motion and physiological data on 8 varsity hockey players during ten games.…”

“…It therefore becomes necessary to either simulate game conditions in order to measure oxygen consumption, as was done by Seliger et al (1972) or to predict oxygen consumption from heart rate data collected during actual games as was done by Green et al (1976). Green et al (1976) collected time motion and physiological data on 8 varsity hockey players during ten games. Based on the average heart rate from the ten games (173 beats/min) and a treadmill determination of the relationship between heart rate and oxygen consumption, on-ice energy requirements were estimated to be between 70 and 80 % of V02max.…”

“…Based on these results Seliger et al (1972) characterized ice hockey as, "an activity showing mostly submaximal metabolic rate with great participation of anaerobic metabolism (69 %), but simultaneously with high requirements for aerobic metabolism (31 %)". Several authors, (Montgomery, 1988;Green et al, 1976) have suggested that Seliger et al (1972) may have overestimated the contribution of anaerobic energy sources and underestimated the contribution of the aerobic energy system. The investigation of Green et al (1976) supports this notion.…”

“…Several authors, (Montgomery, 1988;Green et al, 1976) have suggested that Seliger et al (1972) may have overestimated the contribution of anaerobic energy sources and underestimated the contribution of the aerobic energy system. The investigation of Green et al (1976) supports this notion.…”

“…For example, at a velocity of 382 m/min the mean VO2 was 46.7 ml/kgmin, with a range from 40.1 to 54.7 ml/kgmin. Green et al (1976) agree that skating represents a major component of work intensity, but they feel that using the relationship between oxygen cost and skating velocity underestimates energy expenditure.…”