Training with a Heavy Puck Elicits a Higher Increase of Shooting Speed Than Unloaded Training in Midget Ice Hockey Players

Abstract

A method of load variability is a common way of developing specific skills in various sports, however, not explored considering the use of different ice-hockey pucks. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare shooting speed, shooting accuracy, and handgrip strength changes after training with variable training loads (lighter 60g pucks and heavier 260g pucks) in the wrist shot and snapshot. Sixteen male ice hockey players (13.62±0.35y; 167.67±7.71cm; 53.87±7.55kg) were subjected to a 12 week experiment during which they trained six weeks with a light puck and six weeks with a heavy puck and were tested for shooting speed, shooting accuracy and handgrip strength. The variable load training increased shooting speed (the long hand snapshot by 7.4%, the shorthand snapshot by 8.5%, and the wrist shot by 13%), shooting accuracy (by 14%), and handgrip strength (by 8.7%) of the bottom hand; all at p<0.001. Training with heavy pucks was more effective (d=0.50-0.86) than training with lighter pucks (d=23-25) for increasing puck speed. Shooting accuracy was increased by variable load training with a similar effect of heavy and light puck training. The variable training load had a positive effect on shooting speed and accuracy and the use of a heavier load was more effective than using the unloaded puck. Variable load shooting training in youth ice-hockey players is more effective with heavier pucks than lighter ones, and the improvements are greater in players with better shooting skills.

The Impact of an 8-Week Resisted Sprint Training Program on Ice Skating Performance in Male Youth Ice Hockey Players

“…Few studies have incorporated an on-ice approach to training; some being acute in nature (25), of a very short (4-week) intervention duration (19) or implementing a weighted puck as the resistance implement (29). Matthews et al (25) explored the impact of a single session of resisted ice skating on subsequent unresisted ice skating speed, concluding that a single bout of resisted ice skating decreased 25-m ice skating completion time by 2.6% ( p = 0.02) in collegiate, male, ice hockey players (25).…”

Assessing the Shooting Velocity According to the Shooting Technique in Elite Youth Rink Hockey Players

“…Among the various specific skills in rink hockey, as in most implement sports like tennis [5,6], baseball [7], or golf [8], shooting velocity stands out as a critical factor. Moreover, in rink hockey like in many team sports with throwing actions and other hockey modalities [9][10][11], shooting velocity is a key performance indicator since it influences goal-scoring efficiency and overall team performance. Thus, its assessment has garnered significant attention from coaches, researchers, and athletes in the quest to improve performance and gain a strategic advantage on the field.…”