Physiological Demand Of Ice Hockey Officiating Across Competition Levels And Officiating Systems

Abstract

Ice hockey is an intense sport that requires a combination of anaerobic power and aerobic capacity. Traditionally, research has focused on the athletes, but on-ice officials are also subjected to a large physical demand during games. Across all hockey competition age levels, officials serve in various configurations (two-, three-, and four-official systems) and perform roles as a referee (REF) or linesman (LIN). Different systems and roles lead to varying physiological demands and responsibilities. Currently, no previous study has examined the demand placed on hockey officials across various competition levels. PURPOSE: To examine the demand on hockey officials across competition levels, officiating systems, and officiating roles. METHODS: Ice hockey officials (n = 17, 37.7 ± 9.3 yr, 175.6 ± 4.9 cm, 86.1 ± 9.1 kg) were monitored during USA Hockey youth games, and collegiate hockey games. Chest-worn heart rate monitors with built-in accelerometry were used to record heart rate (HR), caloric expenditure (CE), speed, and distance during hockey games. Lower age classifications utilize a two-official system, while higher-level games utilize three officials (one REF, two LIN). The collegiate games in this study all utilized a four-official system (two REF, two LIN). Analyses of variance and t-tests were used to detect significant differences across competition levels, systems, and roles. Alpha of 0.05, 2-sided was set a priori as a significance level. RESULTS: Significant differences were detected across competition levels for distance, training load, and CE (p ≤ .001). Mean values for each variable increased as competition level increased. Across officiating systems, distance, training load, and CE significantly increased (p ≤ .010) from two- to three-official systems. However, the four-official system had significantly lower values for average HR and CE (p ≤ .030). CONCLUSION: Hockey officiating is physiologically demanding and impacted by competition level and systems. Across competition levels, no significant differences were found for calories/hour (p = .498), indicating a similar rate of demand on officials in all levels of play. Demands on REF are greater in three-official systems compared to four-official systems, where demands are similar between REF and LIN, justifying its use in higher-level games.