Author(s): PIIRAINEN, J., LESCH, K.J., LUUKKAINEN, N.M., GAGNON, S.S., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, Country: FINLAND, Abstract-ID: 1410

INTRODUCTION:
Ice hockey is an intensive, intermittent sport requiring both endurance and strength/power capacities. In elite junior players, performance in leger-type ice skating tests as well as strength characteristics in both upper- and lower-body increase from U16 to U18, whereas body mass–related endurance capacity appears to be more stable across these age categories (Saari & Tolvanen, 2023). However, less is known about differences in physical performance between age matched elite and sub-elite junior players. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine how sub-elite players physically differ from elite players, and how their physical performance develops during the competitive season.
METHODS:
Thirty-one sub-elite (2-3 level) 16-year-old male players participated in the study. Assessments were conducted in September (pre-season) and April (post-season) and analyzed using paired-sample T-test. Testing included 10 m and 30 m sprinting, a cycle ergometer test (maximal aerobic capacity), a 10 × 20 m on-ice skating test, standing long jump, countermovement jump, and a pull-up repetition test. The results were also compared with national elite-level reference values (Saari & Tolvanen, 2023).
RESULTS:
During the season, 10 m and 30 m sprint times improved by −6.0% ± 4.1%, p < 0.001, and −3.8% ± 2.3%, p < 0.001, respectively. Similarly, 10 × 20 m skating time improved by −2.1% ± 2.6%, p < 0.001. Aerobic and anaerobic thresholds increased by +7.0% ± 8.9%, p < 0.001, and +3.1% ± 4.2%, p < 0.001, respectively, with no significant changes in VO2max. In strength/power tests, standing long jump performance improved slightly (+1.5% ± 3.6%, p < 0.05), while no significant changes were observed in countermovement jump (+1.6% ± 6.3%, p = 0.240). When compared to average elite-level references, sub-elite players remained 1.3 s slower in the 10 × 20 m skating test and demonstrated lower values in countermovement jump (−4.5 cm), standing long jump (−5 cm), and pull-up performance (−4 repetitions) at the end of the season.
CONCLUSION:
Substantial improvements were observed in sprint performance, sport-specific on-ice testing, and aerobic and anaerobic thresholds during the hockey season. Surprisingly, strength/power-related measures showed limited development, suggesting that greater emphasis on competitive season strength maintenance may be warranted. As expected, sub-elite players performance was weaker than elite players reference values in all strength- and speed-related measures, whereas maximal aerobic capacity was comparable between the groups. On the other hand, a typical increase in body mass will lead to a higher requirement for absolute aerobic capacity. It should also be noted that all differences should be interpreted with caution, as biological maturation may vary between players and influence physical performance development.

Saari A & Tolvanen M (2023), Finnish Ice Hockey Association, 1-97.