103. Fitness Assessment, Exercise Training, and Performance of Athletes and Healthy People - sport science Scientific Abstract

1469 - Comparative Analysis Of Major Junior Hockey Athletes During Pre-season Off-ice Performance Assessments

Session Type
Free Communication/Poster
Session Name
C-36 - Winter Sports
Session Category Text
Fitness Assessment, Exercise Training, and Performance of Athletes and Healthy People
Disclosures
 J. Tavormina: None.

Abstract

Ice hockey is a physiological challenge; stressing the metabolic systems, power, speed, agility, strength, and endurance. These components are commonly assessed with off-ice performance evaluations featured at the National Hockey League (NHL) combine. Purpose: Evaluate preseason, off-ice combine assessments in major junior ice hockey athletes. Methods: During 2018 and 2019 pre-season training camps, prospective athletes participated in NHL combine style assessments. Tests included vertical jump via Vertec, broad jump via meter tape, timed 20m dash, timed pro-agility run, timed 300m shuttle, timed 2-mile run, hand-grip dynamometer, pull-up repetitions, and 135lbs bench press repetitions. Height and weight were measured via stadiometer and scale, respectively, with values used to calculate body mass index. For data analysis, athletes were categorized into offense and defense with goalies removed due to position specificity and small sample size. Descriptive statistics and comparative analysis, mixed methods regressions, were performed using SPSS (version 24.0) with significance at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Athletes selected (n=48) had higher bench press repetitions (19±6; F=26.023, P=0.000), pull-up repetitions (11±4.; F=11.810, P=0.001), faster pro-agility values (4.78±0.23 sec. right, 4.75±0.23 sec. left; only left was significantly different (F=5.473, P=0.022), and had greater grip strength values (59±10 kgs right, 61±9 kgs left; only left was significantly different; F=5.489, P=0.022) than athletes dismissed (n=26; 11±7 rep, 8±3 rep, 4.89±0.22 secs. right, 4.88±0.25 secs. left, 55±9 kgs right, 56±11 kgs left). Further, athletes selected were older (17.8±1.4 yrs.; F=13.904, P=0.000), and achieved greater broad jump values (103.2±6.7 ins., F=20.699, P=0.000) than athletes dismissed (16.6±1.0 yrs., 96.4±5.1 ins.). Defensive athletes were taller (73.2±2.2 in.; F=4.283, P=0.040) and had greater left (67±8 kgs.; F=13.915, P=0.001) and right (67±8 kgs.; F=16.027, P=0.000) grip strength values than offensive athletes (70.9±2.7 in., 58±8 kgs. Left, 55±10 kgs. Right). Conclusion: Selected athletes were older and exhibited superior power output, muscular endurance, and muscular strength. Defensive athletes were taller, and exceled in areas of muscular strength, endurance, and power.
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