TY - JOUR

T1 - Maximum strength and power as determinants of on-ice sprint performance in elite U16 to adult ice hockey players

AU - Kierot, Martin

AU - Stendahl, Mattia

AU - Warneke, Konstantin

AU - Wirth, Klaus

AU - Konrad, Andreas

AU - Brauner, Torsten

AU - Keiner, Michael

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © Institute of Sport – National Research Institute.

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - In ice hockey, speed strength is one of the major physical key performance indicators, which is significantly influenced by maximum strength. The objective of this study was to evaluate the age‑dependent relationship of off-ice maximum strength and vertical jump performance with on-ice linear sprint performance, considering age and performance level. Ninety‑one male youth and adult professional ice hockey players (age: 19.3±5.49 years) were recruited and divided into four age groups: under 16, 18, 21 years old and professional elite players (Pro) (i.e., > 21 years). They were tested in maximal isometric strength, squat jump (loaded and unloaded), countermovement jump and on‑ice sprint performance (15 m and 30 m linear sprint; 15 m flying linear sprint). Statistical analysis revealed that on‑ice sprint performance correlated with isometric strength performance (r = |0.34|‑|0.63|) and with off‑ice jump performance (r = |0.61|‑|0.77|) without an influence of age group or performance level. However, performance differed between age groups and performance level, the largest differences being found between the youngest age group (U16) and the Pro group (g = 0.966–3.281). The present study shows that maximum strength influences on‑ice sprint performances in ice hockey players, as well as performance differences between age groups and professional players. Strength and jumping performance should therefore be included in regular performance testing in ice hockey. Since performance differences are observed for almost all strength and speed‑strength performances of the youth teams to the Pros, training of these variables is strongly recommended to improve in the transition phase from junior to elite level.

AB - In ice hockey, speed strength is one of the major physical key performance indicators, which is significantly influenced by maximum strength. The objective of this study was to evaluate the age‑dependent relationship of off-ice maximum strength and vertical jump performance with on-ice linear sprint performance, considering age and performance level. Ninety‑one male youth and adult professional ice hockey players (age: 19.3±5.49 years) were recruited and divided into four age groups: under 16, 18, 21 years old and professional elite players (Pro) (i.e., > 21 years). They were tested in maximal isometric strength, squat jump (loaded and unloaded), countermovement jump and on‑ice sprint performance (15 m and 30 m linear sprint; 15 m flying linear sprint). Statistical analysis revealed that on‑ice sprint performance correlated with isometric strength performance (r = |0.34|‑|0.63|) and with off‑ice jump performance (r = |0.61|‑|0.77|) without an influence of age group or performance level. However, performance differed between age groups and performance level, the largest differences being found between the youngest age group (U16) and the Pro group (g = 0.966–3.281). The present study shows that maximum strength influences on‑ice sprint performances in ice hockey players, as well as performance differences between age groups and professional players. Strength and jumping performance should therefore be included in regular performance testing in ice hockey. Since performance differences are observed for almost all strength and speed‑strength performances of the youth teams to the Pros, training of these variables is strongly recommended to improve in the transition phase from junior to elite level.

KW - Athletic performance

KW - Exercise test

KW - Hockey

KW - Muscle strength

KW - Sports

KW - Physical education and sports

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85182570191&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.5114/biolsport.2024.129470

DO - 10.5114/biolsport.2024.129470

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 38188105

AN - SCOPUS:85182570191

VL - 41

SP - 245

EP - 252

JO - Biology of Sport

JF - Biology of Sport

SN - 0860-021X

IS - 1

ER -