Male Ice Hockey Players Research Articles

Associations between the Big Five personality traits, testosterone, and cortisol in adolescent male athletes.

Testosterone (T) has been conceptualized as a biomarker of individual differences, yet T associations with the Big Five personality traits are inconsistent. Athletes provide a suitable model for evaluation here, as T co-expresses traits related to male-to-male competition and fitness with cortisol (C) playing a moderating role. This study investigated associations between the Big Five traits, T, and C in adolescent male athletes. One hundred and twenty male ice hockey players (aged 14-19 years) were assessed for blood total (T, C) and free (FT, FC) hormones, body-size dimensions (i.e., body mass, height, body mass index [BMI]), the Big Five personality traits (i.e., extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness), and trait anxiety. Correlational and regression (with age and BMI as covariates) analyses identified a positive effect of FT on extraversion, but a negative FT effect on neuroticism and anxiety (p < 0.05). Significant FT × FC interactions emerged for extraversion and agreeableness. Slope testing revealed that FT had a positive effect on extraversion at the FC mean and +1 SD, and a negative effect on agreeableness with FC at +1 SD. In conclusion, adolescent male athletes with a higher serum FT concentration tended to express higher extraversion, but lower neuroticism and anxiety. The FT association with extraversion was moderated by FC concentration, as was agreeableness. Therefore, high-FT athletes presented a behavioural disposition that favours dominance and resiliency, with some dependencies on FC availability. Since all association effect sizes were weak, replicate studies on larger adolescent samples are needed.

The effect of a 12-week functional training program on functional movement patterns and dynamic balance in young elite ice hockey players

Abstract Study aim: This study examined the effects of a 12-week functional training (FT) program on basic movement patterns and dynamic balance in hockey players. Material and methods: Forty-three male ice hockey players aged 16.2 ± 0.76 years, were allocated into the experimental (EG) or control (CG) groups. The EG underwent additional 60-minute supervised FT sessions twice weekly, while the CG had an additional 60-minute team game class and swimming class. Fundamental movement patterns were assessed using the functional movement screening (FMSTM), whereas dynamic balance was assessed by the Y-balance test (YBT). Results: After completion of the FT program, the hockey players assigned to the EG achieved higher results in the deep squat (p = 0.0143), hurdle step (p = 0.0002), in-line lunge (p = 0.0082), shoulder mobility (p = 0.0455), and rotatory stability tests (p = 0.0253), had higher total FMSTM scores (p = 0.0003), and less asymmetry (p = 0.0032) than at baseline. They improved all of the normalized scores in YBT. The hockey players assigned to the CG did not improve their results, but their performance decreased in the hurdle step test (p = 0.0082), and they showed more asymmetry (p = 0.0124) than at baseline. Conclusions: The implementation of FT can lead to significant improvements in fundamental movement patterns and dynamic balance among ice hockey players. This suggests that implementing FT can enhance fundamental movement patterns in athletes and should be considered an integral part of sports training. By integrating FT into regular training routines, athletes across different sports may potentially improve their movement patterns, thereby enhancing their overall performance and reducing the risk of injury.

The Coronal Alignment of Lower Limbs in the Adolescent Football and Ice Hockey Players

BackgroundTo investigate the influence of sport-specific activities on coronal axial alignment of the lower limbs in adolescent football and ice hockey players.MethodsThis cross-sectional study targeted healthy adolescent male football and ice hockey players with at least 3 years of sports participation. 90 football and 38 ice hockey players aged 12–16 years were divided into five age-matched subgroups. Coronal alignment of the lower limbs was determined by measuring the players' intercondylar or intermalleolar (ICD-IMD) distance with a custom-made calliper. In addition, their sports history was recorded. An age-matched comparison between the two sports groups was performed using the two-way model ANOVA and a multiple regression model for ICD-IMD was constructed. Results were additionally compared with age-matched data from the general population published in recent literature.ResultsA statistically significant increase in ICD-IMD values (p < 0.05) was found between 12 (football 0 mm; ice hockey − 64 mm) and 16 years (football 340 mm; ice hockey 310 mm) in both sports groups. Results of regression analysis of pooled group data showed that ICD-IMD has low positive correlation (r = 0.407; r2 = 0.168; p < 0.05) with time of participation in sport, but no association with age of athletes at the start of their sport participation (r = − 0.018; r2 = 0.000; p > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups at any time point. Both sports groups showed a significant increase in ICD-IMD values (mean 198 mm) after the age of 14 compared to the general population.ConclusionsParticipation in football and ice hockey is associated with a similar increase in ICD-IMD in the adolescent years in male athletes. The observed increase was higher in both groups of athletes than in their peers who do not regularly participate in sports.Level of EvidenceLevel 4 (case series).

Injury patterns in Swedish elite female and male ice hockey – A cross-sectional comparison of past-season's injuries

ObjectivesTo describe and compare seasonal prevalence, anatomical location, severity, and onset of injuries between female and male elite ice hockey players. DesignCross-sectional survey study. SettingElite ice hockey. ParticipantsSwedish elite ice hockey players (170 females & 190 males). Main outcome measuresPast season injuries reported on a modified version of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center overuse injury questionnaire. Proportions of players who experienced any and substantial problems, as well as respective injury severity scores were presented and compared between sexes. ResultsHighest seasonal prevalence was reported for hip/groin [31.1% (n = 112)], lower back [24.2% (n = 87)], and shoulder injuries [23.6% (n = 85)]. Prevalence of injuries was approximately similar between sexes. Substantial injuries were most prevalent in the hip/groin (13.3% [n = 48]) and knee (18.6% [n = 67]) region. Females reported a higher proportion of substantial hip/groin injuries. Most reported injuries were acute except for hip/groin and lower back injuries (74.4% and 81.8% due to overuse). ConclusionSeasonal prevalence of injuries in elite ice hockey players were comparable between sexes. Acute injuries were most common but hip/groin as well as lower back injuries were predominantly due to overuse. The highest reported prevalence was found for hip and groin-, lower back-, and shoulder injuries.

How Can Autonomy Support from a Coach, Basic Psychological Needs, and the Psychological Climate Explain Ego and Task Involvement?

The aim of this study was to consider the relationships among the autonomy support an athlete perceives from their coach, the three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), the psychological motivational climate of the team (a task or ego climate), and the athlete's motivational orientation (ego or task involvement). No other studies have investigated this. My three hypotheses were as follows: autonomy support from a coach will have an impact on motivational involvement, all three basic needs will have an impact on motivational involvement, and motivational involvement will be explained by the motivational climate. A total of 175 elite male ice hockey players from Norway, ranging in age from 15 to 18 years old, answered questionnaires about autonomy support, perceived motivational climate, achievement goal orientation, and basic psychological needs. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to predict ego-task involvement using autonomy support from the coach, the need for autonomy, the need for competence, the need for relatedness, the task climate, and the ego climate. The only two variables that statistically significantly predicted ego-task involvement were the autonomy support from the coach (std. beta = 0.28, sign = 0.05) and the ego climate (std. beta = 0.34, sign = 0.01). The analysis revealed that the athletes had a higher score on task (M = 4.85) than ego (M = 3.34) involvement, but when these were transformed into two variables (high and low) for task and ego involvement, we found that most players scored high for both task and ego involvement. We found that autonomy support from the coach had a positive relationship with a high score for players on both task and ego involvement. We also found that the three basic psychological needs had no impact on the motivational involvement of the athletes. Lastly, we found that the ego climate had an impact on motivational involvement. There was a positive relationship between a high score for the ego climate and a high score for both ego and task involvement.

The recovery of muscle function and glycogen levels following game-play in young elite male ice hockey players.

Despite the frequent occurrence of congested game fixtures in elite ice hockey, the postgame recovery pattern has not previously been investigated. The purpose of the present study was therefore to evaluate the acute decrements and subsequent recovery of skeletal muscle glycogen levels, muscle function and repeated-sprint ability following ice hockey game-play. Sixteen male players from the Danish U20 national team completed a training game with muscle biopsies obtained before, postgame and following ~38 h of recovery (day 2). On-ice repeated-sprint ability and muscle function (maximal voluntary isometric [MVIC] and electrically induced low- (20 Hz) and high-frequency (50 Hz) knee-extensor contractions) were assessed at the same time points, as well as ~20 h into recovery (day 1). Muscle glycogen decreased 31% (p < 0.001) postgame and had returned to pregame levels on day 2. MVIC dropped 11%, whereas 50 and 20 Hz torque dropped 21% and 29% postgame, respectively, inducing a 10% reduction in the 20/50 Hz torque ratio indicative of low-frequency force depression (all p < 0.001). While MVIC torque returned to baseline on day 1, 20 and 50 Hz torque remained depressed by 9%-11% (p = 0.010-0.040), hence restoring the pre-exercise 20/50 Hz ratio. Repeated-sprint ability was only marginally reduced by 1% postgame (p = 0.041) and fully recovered on day 1. In conclusion, an elite youth ice hockey game induces substantial reductions in muscle glycogen content and muscle function, but only minor reductions in repeated-sprint ability and with complete recovery of all parameters within 1-2 days postgame.

Comparison of EMG activity in the adductors during Copenhagen adductor exercise and Adductor slide in male ice hockey players

Objectives: The aim of this study is to estimate differences in muscle activity of the adductor longus- and adductor magnus muscle during the AS with different amounts of external resistance compared to CAE in male, adult, ice hockey players. Methods: This cross-sectional study compared muscular activity (EMG) during CAE and AS in a convenience sample of male ice hockey players. The players performed AS with different external loads and EMG readings was compared to the CAE. The main outcome was differences in mean %MVIC with CAE as a reference. Differences were compared using paired t-tests and standardized effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated. Results: 21 injury free male ice hockey players participated in the study. We found a statistically significant lesser muscle activation during AS compared to CAE (p&lt;0.05), Differences in mean %MVC during concentric contractions had a range between -60% (95% CI:-82%; -37%) and -28% (-51%; -6%) for the adductor longus, and between -67% (-93%; -41%) and -36% (-53%; -19%) for the adductor magnus. Differences in mean %MVC during eccentric contractions had a range between -70% (-88%; -53%) ad -62% (-78%; -46%) for the adductor longus and between -78% (-101%; -55%) and -68% (-88%; -48%) for the adductor magnus. The effect size was moderate to high (0.45-1-85) for all differences in mean. Conclusion: The AS produces significantly less muscle activation than the CAE, concentrically and eccentrically as well as with and without external loads.

Accelerometer-based Measurement Of Physiological And Physical Intensity In Male Ice Hockey Players

Accelerometer-based Measurement Of Physiological And Physical Intensity In Male Ice Hockey Players

Acute Effects of Ice Hockey on Hip Range of Motion, Strength, and Pelvic Tilt in Competitive Male Players.

Ice hockey players are at high risk for hip and groin injury. Several risk factors have been identified or proposed, including lower hip rotation range of motion (ROM), lower hip adductor strength, lower ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength, and lower pelvic tilt angle. It is not known how these risk factors change acutely with ice hockey participation. Acute exposure to ice hockey will result in a reduction in ROM, strength, and pelvic tilt angle in competitive male players. Controlled cohort study. Level 3. Risk factors for hip and groin injury, including isometric hip adductor strength at 0° of flexion, the ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength, total hip rotation passive ROM in supine, and the resting pelvic tilt angle, were assessed immediately before, immediately after, and 24 hours after an ice hockey exposure in 42 competitive male ice hockey players. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected to identify the intensity of the exposure. There was a significant decrease in total hip rotation ROM (-7.32°, P < 0.01 (-3.91, -10.70)) and hip adductor strength (-4.41 kg, P < 0.01 (-2.81, -6.00) immediately after the exposure, and a significant decrease in total hip rotation ROM (-18.54°, P < 0.01 (-14.35, -22.73)), hip adductor strength (-6.56 kg, P < 0.01 (-4.58, -8.61)), and the ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength (-0.12, P < 0.01 (-0.21, -0.45)) 24 hours after. There was no significant change in pelvic tilt found in this study immediately after or 24 hours after. There was a moderate relationship between changes in hip adductor strength and changes in the ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength (r = 0.433, P < 0.01). RPE was not significantly correlated to any of the changes observed. Risk factors for hip and groin injury in ice hockey players are modifiable after a single ice hockey exposure. The identified fluctuation of injury risk factors for hip and groin injury in ice hockey players has implications for injury risk profiling, rehabilitation, and return-to-competition decision-making.

About the Predictive Value of a 3D Multiple Object Tracking Device for Talent Identification in Elite Ice Hockey Players

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study is to verify if a single session on the NeuroTracker has predictive value in talent identification in ice hockey. Methods: Thirty-five male ice hockey players (aged 16-20) from the highest Canadian competition level for that age group participated in the study. A battery of tests (attention, working memory, time reproduction, pattern recognition, temporal equivalence, technical ability, and decision-making) was administered to verify the relation between various cognitive abilities, on-ice performance, and the baseline score on the NeuroTracker, which is claimed to solicit multiple cognitive functions. On-ice performance indicators were game-related statistics: games played, points (mean per game), on-ice goals differential, and draft rank. Results: Results show that the baseline score on the NeuroTracker is not associated with draft ranking, nor is it able to predict which players will perform best based on game-related statistics. However, the NeuroTracker baseline score does correlate with various tests involving working memory and attention. Conclusion: Currently, NeuroTracker is not specific enough to allow talent identification among same-level elite athletes in ice hockey.

Protective equipment in youth ice hockey: are mouthguards and helmet age relevant to concussion risk?concussionfor mouthguard wearers

ObjectivesTo compare the incidence rates and odds of concussion between youth ice hockey players based on mouthguard use and helmet age.Materials and methodsWithin a 5-year longitudinal cohort (2013/2014 to 2017/2018)...

Countermovement Jump Performance and Team Membership of Youth Female and Male Ice Hockey Players

This study compared the CMJ performance of two teams of young male ice hockey players and two teams of female ice hockey players of different levels of competition and examined whether a specific CMJ variable could predict Prep or Varsity team membership and thus be used as part of the talent identification process for ice hockey. A retrospective analysis of six CMJ variables collected via force platforms was conducted. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare the means of the six CMJ variables between the male teams and female teams and a logistic regression analysis was performed to compare team membership to Prep or Varsity teams with the specific CMJ variables. Significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were found between Prep and Varsity male players in four CMJ variables, all in favor of the Varsity group: mRSI (p = 0.016, ES = -0.860), peak propulsive power (p = 0.022, ES = -0.811), time to take-off (p = 0.005, ES = 1.008), and braking rate of force development (p = 0.005, ES = -1.025). For the female players, only countermovement depth was significantly different (p = 0.030, ES = 0.841) between Prep and Varsity teams, in favor of the Varsity group. Following the logistic regression analysis, only countermovement depth (Wald's p-value = 0.011) could predict team membership to the Prep or Varsity group for the girls while no CMJ variables could significantly predict team membership to the Prep or Varsity teams for the boys. Results from this study suggest that other CMJ kinetic variables should be used when comparing CMJ performance between athletes rather than only using jump height. In addition, countermovement depth can be used by coaches of female ice hockey players to predict team membership.

Recovery Effects of Foam Rolling on Psychophysiological Responses in Thai National Male Ice Hockey Players

Recovery Effects of Foam Rolling on Psychophysiological Responses in Thai National Male Ice Hockey Players

The Olympics, nationalism, and multiculturalism: News coverage of naturalized players in the Korean men’s national ice hockey team

The naturalization of athletes for the purpose of participating in the Olympics is a noticeable feature of today's superdiverse sporting contexts. Focusing on the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, in this paper, I explore how North American-born male ice hockey players who have become naturalized into South Korea are reproduced in media coverage of Canada and South Korea. Applying insights from critical discourse studies, transnationalism, and critical multiculturalism, I specifically examine how each country re/forms its own imagined community through these transnational sporting migrants and the ways that concepts of immigration, citizenship, whiteness, masculinity, and multiculturalism are linked, fused, and/or conflicted within it. Analysis suggests that in both countries, the hockey migrants have been illuminated as new national symbols enhancing the multicultural national brand of each country, whether as immigrants or emigrants, solidifying in the process the hegemonic position of whiteness as a global phenomenon beyond the West.

The implementation and evaluation of an athlete leadership development program with male youth ice hockey players.

The purpose of the current study was to implement and evaluate an athlete leadership development program in youth boys ice hockey. The sample consisted of 14 male U17 hockey players (M = 16.46, SD = 0.78) from one team playing in a competitive hockey league. The players participated in six leadership intervention workshops over the course of the season, and completed inventories measuring athlete leadership behaviours, cohesion, and collective efficacy pre-and post-intervention. In addition, a focus group was conducted to assess the impact of the athlete leadership development program at the end of the season. Bayesian t tests showed that the leadership program generally helped to maintain levels of athlete leadership behaviours, cohesion, and collective efficacy pre-and post-intervention. The results of the focus group following the intervention revealed the players believed the leadership development program helped buffer against the negative effects of their on-ice performances.

Association of Training and Game Loads to Injury Risk in Junior Male Elite Ice Hockey Players: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Training and game loads are potential risk factors of injury in junior elite ice hockey, but the association of training and game loads to injuries is unknown. To investigate the association of chronic training and game loads to injury risk in junior male elite ice hockey players. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. In this prospective cohort study, we monitored all health problems among 159 male junior ice hockey players (mean age, 16 years; range, 15-19 years) at sports-specific high schools during the 2018-2019 school year. Players reported their health problems every week using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H2). The number of training sessions and games was reported for 33 weeks. We calculated the previous 2-week difference in training/game loads as well as the cumulative training/game loads of the previous 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks and explored potential associations between training/game loads and injury risk using mixed-effects logistic regression. The players reported 133 acute injuries, 75 overuse injuries, and 162 illnesses in total, and an average of 8.8 (SD ±3.9) training sessions and 0.9 (SD ± 1.1) games per week. We found no association between the difference of the two previous weeks or the previous 2- 3- and 4-week cumulative, training or game load and acute injuries, nor the difference of the two previous weeks, or the previous 4- and 6-week cumulative, training or game load and overuse injuries (OR, ∼1.0; P > .05 in all models). In the current study of junior elite ice hockey players, there was no evidence of an association between cumulative exposure to training/game loads and injury risk.

Functional Performance Tests, On-Ice Testing and Game Performance in Elite Junior Ice Hockey Players.

This study aimed to explore relationships between fitness, on-ice physical abilities and game performance among elite junior male ice hockey players. Twenty-one major junior ice hockey players (18.9 ± 1.4 years old) participated in the study. Measures including five fitness tests (anthropometric measures, pull up test, bench press test, broad jump, vertical jump) and three on-ice skating tests (multi-stage aerobic skating test, 44-m sprint test, and backward skating test) were assessed during their pre-season training camp. Game performance metrics (collected during the regular season) were collected using InStat software. Results of the (on-ice and off-ice) functional performance test protocol and on-ice tests were analyzed by evaluating correlation coefficients in multiple areas of game performance: 1) physical implication (body checks), 2) offensive contribution (expected goals for, types of zone entries), and 3) defensive actions (blocked shots, expected goals against). They revealed that performance in the broad jump test was associated with skating speed. Some significant correlations were also observed between on-ice test performance indicators such as received body checks, expected goals and blocked shots. In summary, results indicate that on-ice test protocols were associated with players’ performance in multiple aspects of the game. Partial correlation analyses revealed that some of these relationships were specific to the player's position. Forward skating was associated with forwards’ offensive play, and backward skating was specifically related with defensemen’s performance (offense and defense). The addition of on-ice physical tests appears essential for interpreting the results of ice hockey players' physical tests and integrating these results into players’ physical preparation and the in-season follow-up.

Carbohydrate Mouth-rinsing Improves Overtime Physical Performance In Male Ice Hockey Players

Carbohydrate Mouth-rinsing Improves Overtime Physical Performance In Male Ice Hockey Players

Effect Of Ice Hockey Repetitive Head Impacts On Dual Task Tandem Gait Performance

Repetitive head impacts (RHI) may adversely affect neurophysiological health, but their effect of functional tasks remain to be further elucidated. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of RHI on single task (ST) and dual task (DT) tandem gait performance in collegiate ice hockey players. METHODS: 36 male collegiate ice hockey players (age: 19.7 + 1.2 y.o., ht: 1.80 + 0.06 m, wt: 80.9 + 6.8 kg, concussion history: 48.6% (17/36), 0.8 + 0.9 concussions) were assessed over the course of a club collegiate ice hockey season between 2016 and 2019. Head impact monitoring occurred during each practice and home game using the Smart Impact Monitor (SIM-G) through visual and/or video review. Participants performed five trials each of ST and DT Tandem Gait (TG) at pre-season, mid-season, and post-season. The DT challenges were working memory tasks which included subtraction, spelling, and reciting the months of the year backwards as the participant walked heel-to-toe down a 3-meter line, turned around, and returned. To assess changes over the course of the season, a repeated measures mixed model ANOVA was performed for ST and DT tandem gait total time with pairwise post-hoc on significant findings. RESULTS: There was a significant main effect for time for both ST tandem gait (p = 0.001, partial eta = 0.217) and DT tandem gait (p < 0.001, partial eta = 0.305). There was a significant improvement in ST tandem gait from Pre-season to Post-season (pre; 10.3 + 1.8 sec, post; 9.2 + 1.8 sec, p < 0.001, d = 0.61), but not Mid-Season (mid; 9.7 + 1.8 sec, p = 0.067). There was a significant main effect for time in DT tandem gait from pre-season to both mid-season (pre; 13.8 + 4.7 sec, mid; 12.2 + 3.3 sec, p = 0.001, d = 0.39) and Post-Season (post; 11.9 + 3.9 sec, p < 0.001, d = 0.43). CONCLUSION: Contrary to our hypothesis that repetitive head impacts experienced over the course of an ice hockey season would result in reduced/worsened tandem gait performance, the participants herein showed significant improvements over time with medium to large effects sizes. While prior studies have shown modest improvements in tandem gait performance with repeat administration, these results suggest that participation in collegiate club ice hockey season are not associated with postural control impairments as measured by either ST or DT tandem gait.

Local Positioning System-derived External Loads Of Female And Male Varsity Ice Hockey Players During Games

Local Positioning System-derived External Loads Of Female And Male Varsity Ice Hockey Players During Games