Effect of Upper Extremity Strength Training on Puck Speed in Collegiate Ice Hockey Players

Abstract

203 We demonstrate in collegiate level ice hockey players that a specialized upper extremity strength training program can increase the puck speed of the slap shot and the wrist shot by 10.43±0.35 miles per hour (MPH) and 9.66±0.37 MPH, respectively. This increase is statistically significant when compared to pre-training puck speeds (p≤0.01). Ten collegiate ice hockey players volunteered to participate in this study. The initial phase of the study characterized which muscle groups are involved in the execution of the slap shot and the wrist shot. This was determined using a 16-channel, non-invasive telemetric surface electromyography (EMG) system. Surface EMG electrodes were placed on the wrist extensors (WE) and flexors (WF), biceps (BC), triceps (TC), anterior (AD) and posterior deltoid(PD), trapezius (TP), and lattisimus dorsi (LD), bilaterally. EMG collection was synchronized to a motion analysis system utilizing six high-speed digital video cameras collecting at 240 Hz. Reflective markers were placed on the trunk and both upper extremities of each volunteer, as well as on the hockey stick and puck. Players performed six trials of a slap shot and six trials of a wrist shot from a distance of six meters from a standard hockey goal. All trials took place indoors on a smooth concrete floor from a standing position on roller blades. Only those trials in which the puck entered the goal were counted. Puck speed and point of contact/release were determined from the motion analysis. Following the initial phase, all players participated in a six week upper extremity strength training program designed to enhance the performance of those muscles which are specifically involved in the slap shot and the wrist shot. At the end of the six week period, the players were then retested using the same non-invasive surface EMG and digital motion analysis system. Changes in puck speed for the slap shot and the wrist shot were analyzed for significance (p ≤ 0.05) using a two-way paired Students' t-test. The muscle groups involved in the slap shot at the point of puck contact are on the dominant arm: LD, AD, TC, WE and WF; and on the non-dominant arm: TP, BC, TC, WF. The muscle groups involved in the wrist shot at the point of puck release are on the dominant arm: WE, WF, and TC; and on the non-dominant arm: LD, WE and WF. Given all other player parameters being equal, a 10 MPH increase in puck speed during the execution of the two basic hockey shots should translate into a significant increase in the percentage of successful shots on goal. Our study demonstrates that sport-specific strength training when guided by surface EMG analysis in combination with digital motion analysis can enhance sports performance.