Adolescent Hockey Players Research Articles

No spatial advantage in adolescent hockey players? Exploring measure specificity and masked effects

The study examines how intensive hockey training is linked with spatial ability and academic performance. Participants were hockey players from top junior teams (N = 225, mean age = 14.25, all boys) and their unselected peers (N = 278, mean age = 15.47, all boys). Compared to the unselected group, hockey players showed lower results in 10 small-scale spatial tests (Cohen's d ranging from 0.42 to 1.04), Raven's Progressive Matrices (d = 0.41), and 12 school subjects (d for the sum of grades = 1.17). The differences in spatial ability remained significant after controlling for Raven's (d varying from 0.26 to 1.03). The absence of spatial advantage in athletes suggests that effects of sports on cognition are complex: spatial ability facet-specific, sport-specific, professional and intensity level-specific. Moreover, these effects might be confounded by differences in academic engagement, investment of effort and psychological and physiological effects of intensive sports engagement.

Investigating the kinetics of repeated sprint ability in national level adolescent hockey players

ABSTRACT Repeated sprint ability (RSA) is more closely related to match performance outcomes than single-sprint performance, but the kinetic determinants in youth athletes remain poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the kinetic determinants of RSA in youth athletes. Twenty trained adolescents (15 girls; 14.4 ± 1.0 years) completed five 15 m repetitions interspersed with 5-s rest. Velocity was measured during each trial using a radar gun at >46 Hz, following which the force–velocity–power (F-v-P) profile was fitted to a velocity–time curve and instantaneous power and force variables calculated. The mechanical efficiency of force application (DRF) was the primary predictor of both single and repeated sprint performance in adolescents. Secondly, hierarchical analyses revealed the percentage reduction in peak velocity, DRF, and allometrically scaled peak force explained 91.5% of the variance in 15 m sprint time from sprints 1–5. Finally, declines in allometrically scaled peak power were more closely related to declines in peak force than reductions in velocity. In conclusion, given DRF was the primary predictor of both single and repeated sprint performance training programmes targeting RSA need to include technique, and skill acquisition, components.

Predictors of concussion reporting intentions in adolescent hockey players

Young athletes who do not report a concussion injury are at greater risk for a prolonged recovery time and further neurocognitive impairments. Despite the seriousness of the issue and the scale of the problem, not enough is known about the behavioural underpinnings of concussion underreporting in minor athletes. This paper aims to apply the Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviour (KAB) framework to the issue of injury reporting in adolescents, with the specific purpose of exploring to which degree concussion knowledge, concussion attitudes, and gender affect concussion reporting intentions of both male and female athletes. We recruited 97 young athletes between the ages of 14 and 19 (M = 16.22, SD = 11.06) from the Okanagan Hockey Academy (Canada) and employed a self-administered supervised survey approach to measuring the target variables. A hierarchical multiple regression was conducted, and consistent with the prior literature, females were more likely to report a sport-related concussion than males. It was further found that attitudes around concussions (i.e., taking concussions seriously) were significant predictors of concussion reporting intention. At the same time, there was no significant relationship between concussion knowledge and concussion reporting intention. These results highlight that knowledge about concussion symptoms is insufficient to warrant proper injury reporting. It will therefore be essential to work on changing the attitudes of young athletes regarding the significance of concussions to achieve meaningful behavioural change.

A mixed-methods examination of a mental health awareness program in elite ice hockey

ABSTRACT In partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, the purpose of this study was to conduct a post-season evaluation of the effectiveness of a mental health and suicide-awareness program called Talk Today, delivered to elite adolescent male hockey players and their support staff. The study was conducted using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design that began with a quantitative phase followed by a qualitative phase. In total, 105 participants (49 athletes, 56 staff) completed online questionnaires and 12 (6 athletes, 6 staff) participated in qualitative interviews. Results integrated quantitative and qualitative findings to examine participants’ perceptions of acceptability of the program, acquisition and application of knowledge, and perceptions of stigma following the program. Findings revealed that 78% of athletes and 90% of staff reported high levels of satisfaction with the program, 85% of athletes and 87% of staff felt they acquired knowledge on mental health including access to resources, and 68% of athletes and 87% of staff felt they could provide more effective support to individuals with mental health issues. Participants felt the program helped them to identify, approach, and support someone experiencing mental health issues. Additionally, participants reported lower levels of personal stigma in comparison to levels of public stigma towards persons with mental health problems. Overall, results suggest a high level of openness to a mental health and suicide-awareness program among elite male adolescent athletes. Given that this group typically holds negative attitudes towards mental health, these findings are promising for the future implementation of such programs.

Talent Identification in Elite Adolescent Ice Hockey Players: The Discriminant Capacity of Fitness Tests, Skating Performance and Psychological Characteristics.

Background: The process of talent identification in ice hockey occurs during middle adolescence when players are selected to participate in “off-season” evaluation camps, where coaches observe their fitness levels and status of development. Recently, the Quebec ice hockey federation opted for a holistic approach by evaluating players based on three criteria: (1) fitness, (2) skating abilities and (3) personality traits and psychological assets. This study aimed to analyze the discriminant validity of a multi-dimensional talent identification testing protocol in competitive ice hockey. Method: Data were collected from 160 adolescent hockey players who took part in Team Quebec summer evaluation camps. Off-ice fitness, skating abilities and psychological variables were measured on two consecutive days. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons (gender, positions) and discriminant analyses (selected versus non-selected) were performed. Results: No differences were observed among males in which selected players were similar to non-selected. Results from discriminant analyses also showed no discriminant function for male players. For females, selected players displayed higher fitness, on-ice agility and psychological characteristics. Nine performance markers were significantly discriminant. Conclusions: A holistic evaluation protocol allows for the discrimination of selected and non-selected players in elite ice hockey. Developing more discriminant tests is a promising avenue of research in male ice hockey. Knowing the factors that are associated with team selection in competitive ice hockey allow to focus on the specific attributes to work with young promising players.

Long-Term Influence of Concussion on Cardio-Autonomic Function in Adolescent Hockey Players.

Concussion may negatively influence cardiovascular function and the autonomic nervous system, defined by alteration in heart rate variability (HRV). Differences in HRV most commonly emerge during a physical challenge, such as the final steps of the return-to-sport progression. To assess the effect of concussion history on aspects of cardio-autonomic function during recovery from a bout of submaximal exercise in adolescent male hockey athletes. Case-control study. Research laboratory. Thirty-three male athletes participating in Midget-AAA hockey were divided into those with (n = 15; age = 16 ± 1 years, height = 1.78 ± 0.06 m, mass = 73.9 ± 7.4 kg, 10.5 ± 1.6 years of sport experience, 25.2 ± 18.3 months since last injury) or without (n = 18; age = 16 ± 1 years, height = 1.78 ± 0.05 m, mass = 74.8 ± 7.6 kg, 10.6 ± 1.9 years of sport experience) a concussion history. Those with a concussion history were binned on total count: 1 concussion or 2 or more concussions. All athletes underwent 5 minutes of resting HRV assessment, followed by 20 minutes of aerobic exercise at 60% to 70% of their maximal target heart rate and a 9-minute, postexercise HRV assessment. Heart rate variability measures of mean NN interval, root mean square of successive differences, and standard deviation of NN interval (SDNN). Group demographic characteristics were not different. When the control and concussed groups were compared, group and time main effects for heart rate recovery, root mean square of successive differences, and SDNN (P values < .01), and an interaction effect for SDNN (P < .05) were demonstrated. Recovery trends for each group indicated that a history of 2 or more concussions may negatively affect cardio-autonomic recovery postexercise. Our findings suggest that those with more than 1 previous concussion may be associated with a greater risk for long-term dysautonomia. Future use of HRV may provide clinicians with objective guidelines for concussion-management and safe return-to-participation protocols.

Balance Error Scoring System Reliability and Validity When Performed With Ice Skates

In equipment-heavy sports, there is a growing need to evaluate players in the condition in which they participate. However, the psychometric properties of the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) while wearing skates remains unknown. Seventy-four adolescent male hockey players completed the BESS with and without skates. A subset was reevaluated at the conclusion of the season. The BESS while wearing skates resulted in a mean of 15 more total errors than the traditional administration (t73 = 14.94, p &lt; .001; ES = 1.95) and demonstrated low test-retest reliability. The BESS should be administered in the traditional manner (without skates).

Acute versus Chronic Humeral Lesser Tuberosity Avulsion Fractures in Two Adolescent Hockey Players

Acute versus Chronic Humeral Lesser Tuberosity Avulsion Fractures in Two Adolescent Hockey Players

FEATURES OF TRAINING HOCKEY PLAYERS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT AT THE STAGE OF SPORTS SPECIALIZATION

Aim. The article aims to experimentally test the methodology for the development of the main physical qualities in hockey players with hearing impairment in their first and second year of training. Materials and methods. The study involved 38 young hockey players at the stage of sports specialization with hearing loss of 55 dB, which corresponds to an average and high degree of hearing loss. The experiment took place on the premises of the sports school for children and youth of the Gornyak Sports Club (Uchaly, Bashkortostan Republic) and Sports School No 3 named after M.M. Azamatova (Ufa, Bashkortostan Republic). In the control groups, training was carried out in accordance with the traditional ice hockey program developed in compliance with the Federal Standard. Our methodology was included in the training program of hockey players of the experimental group. The main training load was chosen in accordance with the sports school program. Results. Features of the sports training of hockey players with hearing impairment were established, which served as the basis for the development of methods for increasing their physical fitness and the formation of adaptive-compensatory responses of the body in the first and second years of training. The latter are associated with their specific morphofunctional features resulted from damage to the auditory analyzer and secondary changes in the psychoemotional status and functional systems of the body manifested in impaired coordination abilities and a lag in the development of speed-strength and speed qualities. The main physical qualities and their most significant components for adolescent hockey players with hearing impairment in the first and second years of training were identified. Conclusion. Our methodo­logy for training hockey players with hearing impairment aimed at the development of the main physical qualities and their components contributed to improving the coordination abilities of young hockey players, as well as their ability to maintain a vertical posture, dynamic and static balance. Hockey players of the experimental group better acquired the correct rhythm pattern of motor actions, showed better results in tests for the differentiation of muscle effort, intermuscular coordination and the ability to arbitrarily control muscle tension and relaxation.

A pilot study evaluating the effects of concussion on the ability to form cognitive maps for spatial orientation in adolescent hockey players

ABSTRACT Objective In this pilot study, we investigated the impact of a sport-related concussion (SRC) on the ability to form cognitive maps, mental representations of the environment that are critical for spatial orientation and navigation. Participants We recruited 18 adolescent hockey players suffering from a SRC, and 19 age, sex and handedness-matched hockey players with no history of concussion. Main measure We asked participants to perform the Spatial Configuration Task (SCT), a computerized tool used to quantitatively measure the ability of the individuals to form cognitive maps. Results We found that athletes with a concussion performed significantly worse than controls on the SCT (F(1,34) = 5.82, p =.021, = −0.72), confirming a negative effect of a SRC on the ability to form cognitive maps. We found no significant difference between groups in average response time, and no significant correlation between participants' performance at the SCT and reported symptoms of concussion as rated on the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT5). Conclusions Consistent with the integrity of extended neural networks required for effective spatial orientation and navigation, the findings of our pilot study provide preliminary evidence suggesting that a SRC may affect the ability to familiarize with a spatial surrounding and orient within it.

Adolescent hockey players' predispositions to adopt sport and exercise behaviours: An ecological perspective.

Organized sport yields many cognitive, social and physical benefits and is one of the most popular types of physical activity for children and adolescents. Despite the benefits of sports participation, a substantial proportion of adolescents fail to meet Canadian guidelines regarding physical activity. In this regard, it is relevant to understand the mechanisms underlying the adoption of various active behaviours. This study aims to identify the predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors that potentially influence 4 categories of active behaviours using the Youth Physical Activity Promotion model (YPAP). Data was drawn from 416 male adolescent hockey players (Mage = 15.4; SD = 2) who completed a pre-validated questionnaire. Structural equation modeling and interaction analyses were performed to explain the contribution of each determinant. Findings reveal that there are different behavioural patterns based on the type of activity. The interaction between attitudes and environmental factors was a key predictor for each type of behaviour. Perceived competence was associated with more recreational activities, whereas the support of parents and coaches determined involvement in ice hockey. This study refined our understanding of physical activity participation among adolescents already involved in organized sports and emphasized the importance of considering multiple factors surrounding their environment. Several practical recommendations are made to improve young athletes' predisposition to practice physical activity in an organized sports setting.

TRAINABILITY OF PLAYERS FROM THE BULGARIAN YOUTH NATIONAL FIELD HOCKEY TEAM

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to determine the sensitive windows related to motor skills development as well as the rate of trainability of the adolescent hockey players from the Bulgarian Youth National Field Hockey Team. METHODS: This study included 20 adolescent field hockey competitors at the national level – boys at an average age of 13.5 years. The experiment was conducted twice with the same participants at an interval of 16 weeks. They were assigned into two groups: responsive and non-responsive. Those who achieved an improvement in two or more motor tests were included in the “responsive” group. Those who did not improve their performance in the motor tests were included in the group of “non-responsive” players. RESULTS: The findings from the study show that considering the age (13.5), aerobic and anaerobic conditioning is trainable (VO2max and 30 m speed test). DISCUSION: The responsive group was determined to be of high and slow trainability, while the non-responsive one – of low and slow trainability, hence the prospects of the latter for staying in the national team are not favorable. CONCLUSION: It can be recommended that the head coach select only players of medium level trainability for the 2020 Summer Championship.

Effects of metabolic based sport specific training combined with asana practices and pilates exercises on speed of adolescent hockey players

Effects of metabolic based sport specific training combined with asana practices and pilates exercises on speed of adolescent hockey players

Executive functions in adolescent hockey players competing with different rules for body checking

A history of multiple concussions may lead to later-life neurodegeneration and persistent cognitive impairment. Repeated sub-concussive impacts over a career could play a role in this process, however evidence remains limited. Although imaging studies reveal cortical thinning and white matter changes, no impairments are detected in neuropsychological studies. Thus, we sought to explore the effect of body checking experience, which can be considered as repeated sub-concussive impacts, on executive functions in young hockey players. Sixty-six young hockey players, aged between 12 and 17 years, went through a preseason baseline cognitive testing. In this age range, players are separated into 3 groups according to the body checking rule each division is playing (i.e., full body checking, progressive body checking, and no body checking). Executive functions were assessed using a task-switching paradigm. Primary outcome measures were accuracy and reaction time. An ANCOVA with age as covariate was conducted to compare groups according to the body checking rule they have experienced. Analysis revealed no significant group difference in task performance ( p = 0.91), suggesting that executive functions are not influenced by body checking experience. Age strongly correlated with accuracy ( p = 0.01; r2 = 0.37), suggesting that younger athletes performed poorly on the task relative to their older teammates. These preliminary results support that body checking experience did not appear to affect executive functions in adolescent hockey players. However, age seemed to be a predictor of accuracy agreeing with literature that executive functions continue to develop during adolescence. A post-season testing will be conducted to investigate the effect of body checking on executive functions over an entire season.

The effects of submaximal aerobic exercise on heart rate variability in adolescent athletes with history of concussion

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cardio-autonomic regulation in adolescent athletes with and without history of concussion, at rest and following moderate intensity aerobic exercise. We hypothesized that exercise would reveal covert impairments in cardio-autonomic function for athletes with a history of concussion following aerobic exercise. Male adolescent hockey players were recruited and divided into history of diagnosed concussion and matched controls without history of concussion. Athletes in the concussion group were 3 + months from injury, asymptomatic, and currently engaged in sport. Cardio-autonomic function was measured for 5-minute at rest, and for 10-minute following cycle ergometery at 60%–70% theoretical maximal heart rate. Variable evaluated were mean normal-normal interval (mean NN), standard deviation of NN intervals (NN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and approximate entropy (ApEn). No differences were observed between those with and without a history of concussion at rest. However, the concussion group showed significant differences in mean RR interval and approximate entropy following exercise relative to matched controls (p = 0.05). Moderate intensity exercise may induce cardio-autonomic dysfunction in adolescent athletes with a history of concussion, even after they are asymptomatic and make a full return to play. These findings support prior reported findings that exercise can induce a decoupling between the autonomic and cardiovascular systems following concussion.

Multiparametric MRI changes persist beyond recovery in concussed adolescent hockey players.

In the data supplement for article “Multiparametric MRI changes persist beyond recovery in …

Functional status in adolescent hockey players with autonomous circuit of vegetative regulation in the full-year conditioning macrocycle

Functional status in adolescent hockey players with autonomous circuit of vegetative regulation in the full-year conditioning macrocycle

Anthropometric indicators in physical development of children and adolescent hockey players in relation to a player position

Anthropometric indicators in physical development of children and adolescent hockey players in relation to a player position

Multiparametric MRI changes persist beyond recovery in concussed adolescent hockey players.

Objective:To determine whether multiparametric MRI data can provide insight into the acute and long-lasting neuronal sequelae after a concussion in adolescent athletes.Methods:Players were recruited from Bantam hockey leagues in which body checking is first introduced (male, age 11–14 years). Clinical measures, diffusion metrics, resting-state network and region-to-region functional connectivity patterns, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy absolute metabolite concentrations were analyzed from an independent, age-matched control group of hockey players (n = 26) and longitudinally in concussed athletes within 24 to 72 hours (n = 17) and 3 months (n = 14) after a diagnosed concussion.Results:There were diffusion abnormalities within multiple white matter tracts, functional hyperconnectivity, and decreases in choline 3 months after concussion. Tract-specific spatial statistics revealed a large region along the superior longitudinal fasciculus with the largest decreases in diffusivity measures, which significantly correlated with clinical deficits. This region also spatially intersected with probabilistic tracts connecting cortical regions where we found acute functional connectivity changes. Hyperconnectivity patterns at 3 months after concussion were present only in players with relatively less severe clinical outcomes, higher choline concentrations, and diffusivity indicative of relatively less axonal disruption.Conclusions:Changes persisted well after players' clinical scores had returned to normal and they had been cleared to return to play. Ongoing white matter maturation may make adolescent athletes particularly vulnerable to brain injury, and they may require extended recovery periods. The consequences of early brain injury for ongoing brain development and risk of more serious conditions such as second impact syndrome or neural degenerative processes need to be elucidated.

Hemodynamic status of prepubertal and pubertal hockey players

The hemodynamic status of 11-15-year-old hockey players depending on their age and puberty stage were studied and compared with hemodynamic parameters of the control group. It was found that regular muscle training has a dominant effect on the functional state of cardiovascular system (CVS) in prepuberty and puberty. It was proved that in hockey players a decrease in the heart rate (H R) and an increase in the stroke volume (SV) result in a significant increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) at the age of 11-14 years and a progressive increase in total peripheral vascular resistance (PVR), in contrast to significantly lower values in the control group. The urgent adaptation of CVS to graduated physical activities at the age of 11-13 years leads to an enhancement of vascular spasmodic reactions while SV remains constant. It was found that in adolescent hockey players have consistently high SV and SBP; at the same time, maximal values of HR, cardiac output (CO) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were observed at the stages I and II of the puberty period; then, at the stage III, these parameters decrease. I n the control group, hymodinamic status changed in an opposite way. This may be an evidence of the stress effect of physical activities which results in the adaptive reactions of CVS rather than reactions typical of the puberty period.