Differences in inter-segment coordination between high- and low-calibre ice hockey players during forward skating

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Science
• Kinesiology

Background:

• Ice hockey skating requires complex lower extremity inter-segment coordination.
• Differences in coordination may exist between players of varying skill levels.
• Understanding these differences can inform training strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare lower extremity inter-segment coordination between high-calibre and low-calibre ice hockey players.
• To identify specific coordination patterns associated with higher skill levels during forward skating.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 10-camera Vicon motion capture system to collect kinematic data from 16 male ice hockey players (8 high-calibre, 8 low-calibre).
• Calculated Continuous Relative Phase (CRP) for key lower extremity segment pairs (shank-sagittal/thigh-sagittal, shank-sagittal/thigh-frontal, foot-sagittal/shank-sagittal).
• Employed Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical linear modeling to analyze coordination variability and skill level relationships.

Main Results:

• High-calibre players showed significantly more out-of-phase coordination (higher CRP) in shank-sagittal/thigh-sagittal segments during glide/push-off and delayed in-phase transition during recovery.
• Players with higher skill demonstrated more out-of-phase coordination in shank-sagittal/thigh-frontal segments throughout the stride.
• High-calibre skaters exhibited earlier transitions to out-of-phase coordination in foot-sagittal/shank-sagittal segments during push-off and less CRP variability.

Conclusions:

• More out-of-phase coordination modes may enable players to better adapt to optimal skating coordination.
• Skill level in ice hockey is associated with distinct patterns of lower extremity inter-segment coordination.
• Training drills varying speed, direction, and stimuli could promote the development of optimal skating coordination.