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Comparison Between Power Off-Ice Test and Performance On-Ice Anaerobic Testing
Vincent G Boucher1, Andrée-Anne Parent1, Fanie St-Jean Miron1
1Physiology Respiratory Laboratory, Physical Activity Sciences Department, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada; and.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|December 7, 2017
Summary
Comparing off-ice power tests like the vertical jump and broad jump with on-ice performance in National Hockey League (NHL) players revealed position-specific correlations. These findings suggest tailoring off-ice testing to individual player abilities for better training insights.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Specific testing is crucial for optimizing ice hockey performance.
- Understanding the relationship between off-ice power tests and on-ice performance can inform training strategies for elite athletes.
- National Hockey League (NHL) players require validated methods to assess power and anaerobic capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare two common off-ice power tests (vertical jump and broad jump) with on-ice anaerobic performance metrics in NHL players.
- To investigate if correlations between off-ice and on-ice tests differ based on player position (defense vs. forward).
Main Methods:
- Thirty-one NHL players (3 goalkeepers, 10 defensemen, 18 forwards) participated before preseason training.
- Off-ice assessments included vertical jump and broad jump tests.
- On-ice performance was evaluated using a modified SAS-40 and a repeated-sprint skate (RSSm) test, with four testing sessions conducted at 48-hour intervals.
Main Results:
- The vertical jump and broad jump tests showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.45, p < 0.01).
- Defense players demonstrated a significant correlation between vertical jump performance and their best SAS-40 time trial (r = 0.76, p = 0.02).
- Forward players exhibited a significant correlation between broad jump performance and their best SAS-40 time trial (r = 0.75, p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Off-ice power tests demonstrate varying correlations with on-ice anaerobic performance in NHL players.
- The choice of off-ice testing should consider the specific demands and abilities associated with player positions.
- These findings support the need for individualized assessment strategies in elite ice hockey player development.
