Performance profiling of female ice hockey players by country and position

• Purpose: The purposes of this study were to determine whether physiological qualities and on- ice skating performance differ by country and by position in women’s ice hockey.Design: Cross-sectional study.Methods: A total of 109 female ice hockey players volunteered for the study: 45 players from Sweden (19.38 ± 2.56 years; body mass 69.43 ± 7.05 kg: height 169.83 ± 5.03 cm) and 64 players from Canada (19.84 ± 1.62 years; body mass 68.28 ± 7.72 kg: height 166.14 ± 13.67 cm). Anthropometric assessments included estimated body composition using skinfold measurements. Physiological assessments included tests for acceleration, strength, power and aerobic endurance. Performance assessments included on-ice agility and anaerobic tests. Data were analyzed for mean differences by country and position using a two-way ANOVA.Results: The Swedish players had less body fat (p=.007), more lean mass (p=.005), and higher Beep test scores (p=.001). The Canadian players performed better on leg strength (p=.026), acceleration (p=.001), single leg standing long jumps (right leg p=.002, left leg p=.030) and the modified repeat sprint skate (MRSS) (p=.029). Positional comparisons between forwards (F) and defenders (D) showed no significant differences. F and D performed better than goalies (G) on the beep test (p=.002 and p=.002, respectively).Conclusion: The findings showed that the physiological profile for the female ice hockey players in this sample differed by country. The results indicate that the Canadian profile may be better adapted for on-ice performance. No performance differences were found between F and D. G are subjected to completely different requirements, due to variation in equipment and movement patterns, and should not be compared to F and D.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

women's ice hockey

exercise physiology

test methodology

sport

physiological characteristics

fysiologi

Physiology

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)