Abstract
In elite adolescence ice hockey players, overall skating performance is an essential performance factor and should be measured adequately, whereas the relationship between on-ice and off-ice performance is not well known. Consequently, the aim of the study was to analyze (1) the differences in on-ice and off-ice performance in elite adolescent ice hockey players, and (2) the relationship between on-ice and off-ice performance in general separated into different age groups. Thirteen under-15, 18 under-17, and 19 under-20 elite male ice hockey players performed the specific overall skating performance test for ice hockey players (SOSPT). Additional tests included 30 m on-ice skating, off-ice skating and off-ice sprinting tests, the countermovement jump test (CMJ), the standing long jump test, the single-leg lateral jump test, and the single-leg lateral skating simulation jump test (Skate SIM). Significant differences (employing one-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni post-hoc test) between under-15, under-17, and under-20 players were found in body mass, height, leg length, CMJ height, standing long jump distance, single-leg lateral jumps from the left and right legs, Skate SIM time, off-ice sprinting time (0–6 m and 0–30 m), off-ice inline skating time (0–30 m), on-ice skating time (0–6 m and 0–30 m), and SOSPT time. Pearson Product-Moment correlation analysis revealed stronger correlations between SOSPT time and on-ice skating, off-ice skating, and off-ice sprinting and jump tests in the under-15 players compared to the under-17 and under-20 players. As expected with increasing age, elite male ice hockey players performed better in on-ice and off-ice performance tests. The stronger relationship between SOSPT performance and on-ice and off-ice performance in the younger compared to the older players revealed that general physical performance determined specific overall skating performance more often in youth players, whereas in junior und young adult players, an optimal skating technique is more important. These results should be considered in the selection process for young ice hockey players.
Highlights
Ice hockey is a popular contact team sport played on an ice rink, in which two teams try to score more goals than the opposing team to win the game
Significant differences between under-15, under-17, and under-20 players were found for body mass, height, leg length, countermovement jump test (CMJ) height, standing long jump height, single-leg lateral jump from the left and right leg, skate SIM time, off-ice sprinting time
We suggest that under-15 players with a higher physical maturity status performed better, whereas under-15 players with a lower physical maturity status performed poorer in the jumping tests and SOSPT
Summary
Ice hockey is a popular contact team sport played on an ice rink, in which two teams try to score more goals than the opposing team to win the game. It is characterized by fast-paced intermittent offensive and defensive actions that alternate between high and low intensity movements. During a regular 45–60 s shift, high intensity actions of 2.0–3.5 s occur 5–7 times. Forward sprinting, ~9% low backward skating, as well as ~3% fast backward skating and sprinting in male elite ice hockey players during an official international game. Skating time with the puck contributes only ~4% in elite level forwards over the course of a game
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