Changes in collegiate ice hockey player anthropometrics and aerobic fitness over 3 decades.

Over the past several decades, an increased emphasis on fitness training has emerged among collegiate ice hockey teams, with the objective of improving on-ice performance. However, it is unknown if this increase in training has translated over time into changes in the anthropometric and fitness profiles of collegiate ice hockey players. The purposes of this study were to describe anthropometric (height, weight, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (%fat)) and aerobic fitness (peak oxygen consumption) characteristics of collegiate ice hockey players over a period of 36 years and to evaluate whether these characteristics differ among player positions. Anthropometric and physiologic data were obtained through preseason fitness testing of players (N = 279) from a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's ice hockey team from the years 1980 through 2015. Changes over time in the anthropometric and physiologic variables were evaluated via regression analysis using linear and polynomial models, and differences among player positions were compared via ANOVA (p < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that a cubic model best predicted changes in mean height (R2 = 0.65), weight (R2 = 0.77), and BMI (R2 = 0.57), whereas a quadratic model best fit change in %fat by year (R2 = 0.30). Little change was observed over time in the anthropometric characteristics. Defensemen were significantly taller than forwards (184.7 ± 12.1 vs. 181.3 ± 5.9 cm) (p = 0.007), and forwards had a higher relative peak oxygen consumption compared with defensemen (58.7 ± 4.7 vs. 57.2 ± 4.4 mL·kg-1·min-1) (p = 0.032). No significant differences were observed in %fat or weight by position. Although average player heights and weights fluctuated over time, increased emphasis on fitness training did not affect the athletes' relative aerobic fitness. Differences in height and aerobic fitness levels were observed among player positions.

Relationship between physiological profiles and on-ice performance of a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I hockey team.

Ice hockey is a game that relies heavily on both aerobic and anaerobic energy production systems as players perform in various game situations. However, we found no studies evaluating the relationship between a player's physical condition and individual success in games throughout a competitive hockey season. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between a player's aerobic fitness (VO(2)max), blood lactate, and percent body fat to his total minutes played during a season (Tmin) and net scoring chances (SCn). Players' (N = 29) preseason VO(2)max, lactate at the fourth stage of an incremental treadmill test (Lac 4), and percent body fat values from the 1999- 2001 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I hockey seasons were archived and retrieved for this study. The players' Tmin and SCn were used as the on-ice performance variables and were compared with their fitness measures. Lactate at 4th treadmill stage (r = 0.41, p < 0.03) and percent body fat (r = 0.39, p < 0.03) but not VO(2)max (r = 0.20, p < 0.24) were significantly related to Tmin. Both Lac 4 and percent body fat were entered into a stepwise regression model that accounted for 25% of the variance in Tmin among players (p < 0.02). Both VO(2)max (r = 0.41, p < 0.03) and Lac 4 (r = 0.33, p < 0.05) were significantly related to the players' SCn, but percent body fat was not (r = 0.10, p < 0.57). Only VO(2)max significantly predicted the players' SCn, accounting for 17% of the variance. These findings suggest a relationship between a player's conditioning level and on-ice performance. Our results support the value of implementing seasonal physiological testing, which will help strength and conditioning coaches make individualized modifications to a player's fitness regimens in an effort to improve specific physiological attributes.