Strength and Endurance Differences Between Elite and Junior Elite Ice Hockey Players. The Importance of Allometric Scaling

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in strength and endurance between elite and elite junior ice hockey players. Participants included 18 elite players and 21 junior elite male players (24.2 ± 4.7 vs. 17.6 ± 0.9 years of age, 84.2 ± 8.1 vs. 72.3 ± 6.0 kg body mass (p < 0.01), 179.9 ± 6.1 vs. 179.0 ± 7.0 cm). Absolute maximal oxygen uptake was significantly higher in elite than junior players (4.8 vs. 4.2 L · min^-1, p < 0.01), but relative expressions, including allometric scaling, eliminated the difference. Elite players lifted significantly more weight than juniors in 1 repetition maximum squats (200.0 ± 28.9 vs. 140.3 ± 19.5 kg, p < 0.01) and in bench press (100.8 ± 12.8 vs. 75.3 ± 12.8 kg, p < 0.01). Elite players also ran significantly faster in the 10 m sprint (1.80 ± 0.07 vs. 1.88 ± 0.08 s, p < 0.01), and had greater jumping height (27.2 ± 3.2 vs. 20.5 ± 3.0 cm, p < 0.01) and peak force (2336.4 ± 219.9 vs. 2011.9 ± 180.1 N, p < 0.01) when holding 50 extra kg. No differences were found for the 40 m sprint or for the rate of force development in jumping. This study revealed that the main differences between elite and junior ice hockey players at a high performance level seem to be in strength and body mass. The results therefore identify important factors for juniors to improve in the transition phase from junior to elite level.

V·O_2max - maximal strength - squat - bench-press - sprint

References

• 1 Almåsbakk B, Hoff J. Coordination, the determinant of velocity specificity?.  J Appl Physiol. 1996;  80 2046-2052
• 2 Bangsbo J, Nørregaard L, Thorsøe F. Activity profile of competition soccer.  Can J Sports Sci. 1991;  16 110-116
• 3 Behm D G, Sale D G. Velocity specificity of resistance training.  Sports Med. 1993;  15 374-388
• 4 Bergh U. The influence of body mass in cross-country skiing.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1987;  19 324-331
• 5 Bergh U, Sjødin B, Forsberg A, Svedenhag J. The relationship between body mass and oxygen uptake during running in humans.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 205-211
• 6 Cox M H, Miles D S, Verde T J, Rhodes E. Applied physiology of ice hockey.  Sports Med. 1995;  19 184-201
• 7 Daub W B, Green H J, Houston M E, Thomson J A, Fraser I G, Ranney D A. Specificity of physiologic adaptations resulting from ice-hockey training.  Med Sci Sport Exerc. 1983;  15 290-294
• 8 Davies J A, Brewer J, Atkin D. Pre-season physiological characteristics of English first and second division soccer players.  J Sport Sci. 1992;  10 541-547
• 9 Durnin J VGA, Womersley J. Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thickness: measurements on 481 men and women aged from 16 - 72 years.  Br J Nutr. 1974;  32 77-97
• 10 Green H J. Metabolic aspects of intermittent work with specific regard to ice hockey.  Can J Appl Sport Sci. 1979;  4 29-34
• 11 Heil D P. Body mass scaling of peak oxygen uptake in 20- to 79-yr-old adults.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997;  29 1602-1608
• 12 Helgerud J, Ingjer F, Strømme S B. Sex differences in performance-matched marathon runners.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1990;  61 433-439
• 13 Helgerud J. Maximal oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold and running performance in women and men with similar performances levels in marathons.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1994;  68 155-161
• 14 Hoff J, Almåsbakk B. The effects of maximum strength training on throwing velocity and muscle strength in female team handball players.  J Strength Cond Res. 1995;  9 255-258
• 15 Hoff J, Helgerud J. Endurance and strength training for soccer players. Physiological considerations.  Sports Med. 2004;  34 165-180
• 16 Houston M E, Green H J. Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of elite Canadian ice hockey players.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1976;  16 123-128
• 17 Montgomery D L, Dallaire J A. Physiological characteristics of elite ice hockey players over two consecutive years. Landers DM Sport and Elite Performers. Champaign; Human Kinetics 1986: 133-143
• 18 Nordstrøm P, Pettersson U, Lorentzon R. Type of physical activity, muscle strength, and pubertal stage as determinants of bone mineral density and bone area in adolescent boys.  J Bone Miner Res. 1998;  13 1141-1148
• 19 Rhodes E C, Cox M H, Quinney H A. Physiological monitoring of National Hockey League regulars during the 1985 - 86 season.  Can J Appl Sport Sci. 1985;  10 36
• 20 Rusko H, Havu M, Karvinen E. Aerobic performance capacity in athletes.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1978;  20 151-159
• 21 Smith D J, Quinney H A, Steadward R D, Wenger H A, Sexsmith J R. Physiological profiles of the Canadian olympic hockey team.  Can J Appl Sport Sci. 1982;  7 142-146
• 22 Tesch P A, Larsson L. Muscle hypertrophy in bodybuilders.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1982;  49 301-306
• 23 Wisløff U, Helgerud J, Hoff J. Strength and endurance of elite soccer players.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  3 462-467
• 24 Åstrand P-O, Rodahl K. Textbook of Work Physiology. New York; McGraw-Hill 1986