Game Demands of a Professional Ice Hockey Team with Special Emphasis on Fatigue Development and Playing Position

The aim of this study was to describe the game activity profile of a professional ice hockey team with special emphasis on fatigue development and playing position. Data were collected using a wearable 200-Hz accelerometric system and heart rate (HR) throughout eight official games in a professional ice hockey team (6 defensemen and 11 forwards; n = 122 files). On-ice 10- and 30-m sprint performance, repeated sprint ability and HR responses to the submaximal Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery level 1 test were assessed to determine associations with game performance. Although the 3^rd period was largely longer than the 1^st and 2^nd periods (r = 0.56-0.59), no differences were observed between periods in activity pattern, except a moderate decline in the number of decelerations <-2 m·s^-2 per min (Dec2/min) in the 2^nd period for forwards (r = 0.06-0.60). Mean HR, time spent >85% HRmax (t85HR), as well as the total number of intense accelerations and decelerations were higher for defensemen. However, demands were similar when expressed relative to time on-ice, except that defenders performed more Dec2/min than forwards in all periods, whereas forwards spent more t85HR during the 2^nd period (r = 0.46-0.57). Time spent on ice was inversely correlated with the total number of accelerations (Acc_tot), accelerations >2 m·s^-2 per min (Acc2/min), total decelerations per min (Dec_tot/min), Dec2/min and t85HR (r = -0.63 to -0.18) and positively correlated with mean HR and peak HR (r = 0.20- 0.53). No significant correlations were found between physical fitness and game activity variables scaled by individual time on ice. Absolute acceleration and HR demands of professional ice hockey seem to differ between playing positions, but not in relation to time on ice. Further, no clear signs of fatigue were captured, possibly due to the longer duration of rest intervals in the 3^rd period.