Abstract
This prospective study aimed to validate the IHCT using a match performance score (MPS). Seventeen 3rd league male professional ice hockey field players (mean ± SD; age: 28.0 ± 6.95 years; 10 forwards, 7 defenders) completed the IHCT and were observed in the subsequent competitive match period. Match performance data were collected over 2 months (number of matches: 13–15). Based on these evaluated matches, the MPS consisting of goals, assists, penalty time, plus-minus, and number of matches was calculated for each player. The IHCT contains load parameters (e.g., 10 m and 30 m skate times, transition/weave agility times with and without a puck, slap and wrist shot puck velocities on goal) and stress parameters (e.g., lactate, heart rate). The 30 m sprint skate without puck (r2 = 0.41) and the maximum wrist shot velocity before test (r2 = 0.36) were the test performance parameters with the highest relevance for match performance. The velocity of shots on goal (SOG) displayed the highest correlation for any on-ice performance parameter (30 m sprint without puck: r = 0.76). These results provide evidence of the validity of the IHCT and the usefulness of the MPS to quantify match performance. Obviously, sprint and shot velocities are important parameters to be a successful ice hockey player. Based on these findings, IHCT and MPS are valuable assessments for coaches to evaluate the individual match performance and the effectiveness of training programs. Further research is needed to extend the scope of the IHCT and MPS for 1st and 2nd league players and for a stronger differentiation between forwards and defenders.
Highlights
Ice hockey is a fast and complex team sport with high physical demands including strength, core stability, speed, postural stability, and endurance
The results and findings of the performance diagnostic should be useful for the coaches and physiotherapists to improve the match performance of each player
The variables transition with puck (p = 0.001), goals after test (p = 0.006), and difference maximum wrist shot before and after test (p = 0.019) did not show a normal distribution
Summary
Ice hockey is a fast and complex team sport with high physical demands including strength, core stability, speed, postural stability, and endurance. The described complexity of these physical demands and the multidimensionality of match performance are major challenges for the development of off- and on-ice performance diagnostics, the on-ice performance diagnostic is most critical. Current standardized tests often do not provide enough information regarding their relevance to a match. Data collected across various leagues and in a standardized manner would allow for a stronger and more sufficient scientific examination (validity, reliability, reference data) of on-ice and off-ice performance diagnostics. In our search of current research, we observed a lack of studies that use match performance as the gold standard to prove and validate on- or off-ice performance tests and parameters [5,12,13,14]
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