Maximal Oxygen Consumption Values In Female Ice Hockey Players

Abstract

Aerobic metabolism contributes significantly to the energy demands of ice-hockey. Using an on-ice testing protocol Durocher et al., (J. Strength and Cond Res, 22, 1327-31, 2008) reported a maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) value of 40.1 ± 1.0 ml·kg-1·min-1 in Division III female college hockey players. Due to the difficulties inherent in using on-ice testing procedures, the majority of aerobic tests involving ice-hockey players have used either a treadmill or cycle ergometer. PURPOSE: To compare VO2max values obtained during a treadmill running and a cycle ergometer test to previously published values obtained using an on-ice testing protocol. METHODS: VO2max was measured at the mid-point of the season using an incremental treadmill and cycle ergometer protocol in 12 female (Age 19.5 ± 1.6 y; mean ± SD) Division III college hockey players. The treadmill and cycle ergometer tests were undertaken on different days and were performed in a counter-balanced order. Oxygen uptake was measured using open circuit spirometry (MAX-II metabolic cart) and heart rate was continuously monitored using a Polar heart rate monitor. RESULTS: Maximal heart rate (193.0 ± 9.7 vs. 182.1 ± 7.8 beats·min-1) and VO2max (46.6 ± 4.4 vs. 41.2 ± 5.1 ml·kg-1·min-1) were higher (p<0.001) in the treadmill running than the cycle ergometer test. There was a trend (p<0.09) toward a higher rating of perceived exertion at maximal exercise in the cycle test than the treadmill test. CONCLUSION: When compared to gender and age based norms the VO2max values for the ice-hockey players in the present study are in the 80th percentile, or average category. In Division III female college hockey players the VO2max determined during a cycle ergometer test is similar to the value obtained using an on-ice protocol. In contrast, the VO2max determined using a treadmill protocol overestimates the VO2max obtained using an on-ice protocol.