A 26 year physiological description of a National Hockey League team

Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, August, 2008 by H.A. Quinney, Randy Dewart, Alex Game, Gary Snydmiller, Darren Warburton, Gordon Bell

Abstract: The primary purpose of this investigation was to examine the physiological profile of a National Hockey League (NHL) team over a period of 26 years. All measurements were made at a similar time of year (pre-season) in 703 male (mean age [ or -] SD = 24 [ or -] 4 y) hockey players. The data were analyzed across years, between positions (defensemen, forwards, and goaltenders), and between what were deemed successful and non-successful years using a combination of points acquired during the season and play-off success. Most anthropometric (height, mass, and BMI) and physiological parameters (absolute and relative V[O.sub.2] peak, relative peak 5 s power output, abdominal endurance, and combined grip strength) showed a gradual increase over the 26 year period. Defensemen were taller and heavier, had higher absolute V[O.sub.2 Peak], and had greater combined grip strength than forwards and goaltenders. Forwards were younger and had higher values for relative V[O.sub.2] peak. Goaltenders were shorter, had less body mass, a higher sum of skinfolds, lower V[O.sub.2 peak], and better flexibility. The overall pre-season fitness profile was not related to team success. In conclusion, this study revealed that the fitness profile for a professional NHL ice-hockey team exhibited increases in player size and anaerobic and aerobic fitness parameters over a 26 year period that differed by position. However, this evolution of physiological profile did not necessarily translate into team success in this particular NHL franchise.

Key words: V[O.sub.2 peak], anaerobic power, body composition, musculo-skeletal fitness, strength.

Resume : Le but principal de cette etude est d'analyser l'evolution du profil physiologique d'une equipe de la Ligue nationale de hockey (NHL) au cours des 26 dernieres annees. Toutes les mesures ont ete prises chez 703 joueurs (age moyen [ o -] ecart-type : 24 [ o -] 4 ans) a peu pres au meme moment de l'annee, soit avant le debut de la saison. Les comparaisons suivantes sont effectuees : d'une annee a l'autre, d'un poste a l'autre (defenseurs, attaquants, gardiens de buts), des bonnes et des moins bonnes annees selon le nombre de points accumules durant la saison et le niveau de succes observe durant les series eliminatoires. En 26 ans, on observe une amelioration graduelle de la plupart des valeurs des variables anthropometriques (masse, taille, IMC) et physiologiques (V[O.sub.2] de pointe absolu et relatif, puissance relative de pointe produite en 5 s, endurance abdominale et force de prehension combinee). Comparativement aux attaquants et aux gardiens de buts, les defenseurs etaient plus grands et plus pesants et presentaient un meilleur V[O.sub.2] de pointe absolu et une plus grande force de prehension combinee. Par contre, les attaquants etaient plus jeunes et presentaient un meilleur V[O.sub.2] de pointe relatif. Les gardiens de but etaient moins grands, moins pesants et presentaient un plus haut total des epaisseurs de pli cutane, un plus faible V[O.sub.2] de pointe et une meilleure flexibilite. Le profil physiologique global etabli avant le debut de la saison n'est pas relie au succes de l'equipe. En conclusion, la condition physique de l'equipe des joueurs de hockey professionnel, definie par le gabarit des joueurs et les variables de performance aerobie et anaerobie, s'est amelioree au fil des ans de facon differente selon les postes occupes sur la glace. L'amelioration du profil physiologique ne s'est pas revelee en lien neanmoins avec le succes de cette equipe de la NHL.

Mots-cles : V[O.sub.2] de pointe, puissance anaerobie, composition corporelle, condition physique musculosquelettique, force musculaire.

[Traduit par la Redaction]

Introduction

The sport of ice hockey has been reported as physiologically demanding, particularly at the professional level (Cox et al. 1995; Green et al. 1979; Montgomery 2006). Ice hockey is characterized by intermittent, high-intensity bouts of skating requiring rapid acceleration and changes in velocity and direction; the potential for high-impact body contact; and the execution of a variety of skilled maneuvers (Cox et al. 1995; Flik et al. 2005; Green et al. 1979; Molsa et al. 2003). Each on-ice shift usually lasts between 30 and 85 s, interspersed with 2 to 5 min of recovery between shifts (Cox et al. 1995; Green et al. 1979; Montgomery 1988) depending on the player's position, style or strategy of game, and coaching decisions. The intensity of exercise is high and heart rates of approximately 90% of maximum have been reported for players during competition (Cox et al. 1995; Green et al. 1976; Paterson 1979). The various positions of ice hockey also necessitate different physiological characteristics (Green 1979; Vescovi et al. 2006), potentially leading to a bias towards certain physical attributes according to position and differential training regimens to prepare for these positions (Cox et al. 1995). In addition, ice-hockey players present with a particular body composition, a high level of anaerobic fitness, enhanced musculo-skeletal properties, and a well developed cardio-respiratory system. These attributes are important for effective skating, puck handling, physical contact between players, and the rigorous practice and game schedules associated with this sport (Cox et al. 1995; Green 1979; Montgomery 1988; Montgomery 2006; Shephard 1981).