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Comparsions among VO2 max values for hockey players and runners. Can J Appl Sport Sci 4(1) 18-21 1979
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the specificity of the VO2 max response of runners and hockey players for multistage tests done on the treadmill (RUN) or on the ice, skating a shuttle 20m course with (20m+) or without equipment (20m-) and a 140m oval course (140m-). Hockey players VO2 max in ml.kg-1.min-1 (n=10) were similar for the 4 tests (RUN: X +/- SD = 61.4 +/- 6.3; 140m-: 62.1 +/- 9.4; 20m-: 58.6 +/- 6.4; and 20m+: 59.9 +/- 7.4). VO2 max of runners (n = 10) were superior on the treadmill (68.6 +/- 4.5) as compared to the ice (140m-: 65.6 +/- 5.4). Hockey players as compared to runners, were 15% more efficient on the ice and 7.9% less efficient on the treadmill. The equipment increased the energy cost of skating by 4.8% and decreased the multistage test time by 20.3%. The low temperature arena as compared to the standard temperature laboratory, yielded lower heart rate response with multistage tests. Blood lactates (mg%) were similar for all tests done with hockey players (RUN: 128.3 +/- 19.3; 140m-: 126.8 +/- 14.7; 20m-: 133.0 +/- 17.5; and 20m+: 131.4 +/- 18.5), but lower on the ice (140m-: 87.7 +/- 15.9) as compared to the treadmill (127.2 +/- 26.4) for the runners. Maximal skating speed disclosed a relatively homogenous group of hockey players but their VO2 max scores were more widely distributed.
... (2013), and suggest that there is no difference in testing aerobic capacity on-and off-ice, meaning that either might be a viable option; however, FAST is a continuous skating test, which does not replicate the intermittent sprinting nature of ice hockey (Buchheit, 2008). Leger, Seliger, and Brassard (1979) showed that 10 male ice hockey players had similar on-ice aerobic capacities when compared to off-ice (mean VO 2max : 59.9 ± 7.4 and 61.4 ± 6.3 ml/kg/min respectively; p > .05). However, the hockey players were 15.9% more mechanically efficient during skating and 7.9% less mechanically efficient when running, which implies that on-ice testing might be more specific to the sport itself. ...
... Additionally, Leone et al. (2007) to those of the current study), other researchers have shown the opposite. Anecdotally, off-ice testing may put a participant in an environment that they may not be comfortable with (Leger et al., 1979;Montgomery, 1988). Not all subjects may be as comfortable or efficient on a cycle ergometer or running as they may be ice-skating (Leger et al., 1979). ...
... Anecdotally, off-ice testing may put a participant in an environment that they may not be comfortable with (Leger et al., 1979;Montgomery, 1988). Not all subjects may be as comfortable or efficient on a cycle ergometer or running as they may be ice-skating (Leger et al., 1979). ...
There is debate if a high aerobic capacity will improve recovery from repeated bouts of sprinting, which primarily taxes the anaerobic energy systems. The relationship between aerobic capacity and repeat sprint ability in ice hockey players is not well established; moreover, the relationships that have been examined involved off-ice testing protocols, which lack specificity to the ice hockey. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between on-ice aerobic capacity (VO2peak and VIIT) and repeated on-ice sprint ability (RISA) via percentage of power output decrement (%DPO), and other measurements of on-ice power output (OPO). Methods: 11 male professional ice hockey players, recruited from an American Hockey League team, participated in two maximal effort on-ice tests. Aerobic capacity was tested via the 30-15 Intermittent Ice Test. Gas exchange was measured directly measured via an Oxycon portable O2 analyzer in four of the participants. OPO was measured via the Repeat Ice Skating Test. The relationship between these variables for nine of the participants was then analyzed via Pearson’s correlational testing. Results: There was no significant relationship between VIIT or VO2peak to %DPO (r =-.036 and .197 respectively; p > .05) or any other measurement of RISA. Discussion: The results from this study suggest that aerobic capacity was not related to RISA. While the results were not statistically significant, likely due to a small sample size, the effect size for %DPO and aerobic capacity (VIIT and VO2peak) was small, indicating that the relationship was nearly negligible. Elite level ice hockey players may not have a better RISA resultant from a higher aerobic capacity.
... The need for a complex on-ice diagnostic has been supported by the studies of Leger et al. [32] and Legerlotz et al. [9]. Both investigations showed that the specific technique (skating vs. running) [32] and the specific environment (off-ice vs. on-ice) [9] are critical factors for the functionality of the test results with regards to the prediction of the match performance. ...
... The need for a complex on-ice diagnostic has been supported by the studies of Leger et al. [32] and Legerlotz et al. [9]. Both investigations showed that the specific technique (skating vs. running) [32] and the specific environment (off-ice vs. on-ice) [9] are critical factors for the functionality of the test results with regards to the prediction of the match performance. Similar to the findings of Schwesig et al. [10], the results of this study support and highlight the importance of ice-hockey-specific testing, ideally using position-specific reference data. ...
The aim of this study was to investigate position-specific (forwards, defenders) reference data for a scientifically evaluated (validity, reliability) ice hockey-specific complex test (IHCT). One hundred and four 3rd league professional ice hockey field players (mean ± standard deviations (SD); age: 26.4 ± 5.62 years) volunteered for the investigation. Players were categorized as forwards (n = 64) and defenders (n = 40). Data from the IHCT were collected over six seasons from three 3rd league teams. The IHCT included parameters for load (e.g., 10 m and 30 m skate times, transition and weave agility times with and without a puck, slap and wrist shots on goal) and stress (e.g., lactate, heart rate). The only significant (p < 0.002) difference between forwards and defenders for performance were found for weave agility with puck (p < 0.001). Forwards showed a higher average performance in this parameter than defenders. Differences were also found in weave agility without a puck (p = 0.008), 30 m backward sprinting without puck (p = 0.012) and goals after test (p = 0.030). This study provides position-specific reference data for a valid and reliable ice hockey-specific complex test for the 3rd league. These results may be used by coaches to judge player performance based on position (forwards vs. defenders). Moreover, coaches may use these data to evaluate the effectiveness of the most recent training period. Further research should extend this database to 1st and 2nd league players in order to enhance the scope of the test.
... Oxygen uptake measurement: The oxygen consumption was assessed using the Cosmed K4b 2 breath-by-breath portable metabolic analyzer system (Cosmed, Rome, Italy). Previous studies have shown that the Cosmed K4b 2 is a valid and reliable system to assess oxygen uptake from rest to maximum exercise intensities (6,11,23,26). The portable metabolic system was attached to the players in complete hockey gear (except helmet). ...
... Over the last few decades, several studies have been conducted to describe the physiological requirements of ice hockey players (11,17,23,(30)(31)(32). Traditionally, the assessment of the physiological requirements of hockey players was done through a variety of off-ice tests (8,13,30,37). ...
The general objective of this doctoral thesis was to develop tools to improve the on-ice assessment of young elite ice hockey players. The first part was, through a longitudinal follow-up, to monitor the evolution of the morphological, physiological and skating skills profile that characterize youth players involved in elite ice hockey development leagues. Eighteen (18) players were evaluated off-ice and on-ice at the beginning, end, and at the beginning of the following season. We noticed that the maximal aerobic power was maintained during the hockey season despite little time invested to develop this physical quality. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that the nature of the game as well as the intensity of the on-ice training sessions were enough to maintain a respectable V̇O2max value throughout the season. All skating skills improved during the hockey season, but not during the off-season when some degradation was observed. Specifically, it was observed that the low percentage of common variance (<20%) between physiological variables measured off-ice and skating performance tests assessed on-ice, indicated significant shortcomings in both the choice of conventionally off-ice training methods as well as off-ice assessment tools. For these different reasons, the objective of the second project was to update the V̇O2 values obtained during the Skating Maximal Aerobic Test (SMAT) and to propose a Skating Stride Index (SSI) in order to improve the prediction of oxygen uptake. Indeed, the SMAT, like most field tests, assumes that participants who reach a given level have the same oxygen consumption, which is not usually the case. An SSI was developed, and when associated with the maximum speed achieved during the test, the accuracy of the predicted V̇O2 values was improved (r=0.95, SEE=1.92). When comparing players' SSI, it was noted that the V̇O2 values could vary by more than 5ml∙kg-1∙min-1 within the same stage, suggesting the importance of including the SSI in the prediction of V̇O2max. Subsequently, in a third project, we evaluated the robustness of the O2 cost prediction equations in four different anaerobic skating situations. As such, 24 elite players participated in this study for whom the execution time, heart rate, V̇O2, skating strides and SSI were measured for each test. The four regression equations displayed correlation coefficients ranging from 0.91 to 0.93 and a SEE between 4.5 to 8.4%, suggesting that the execution time alone is a poor predictor of O2 uptake required for this type of effort. The introduction of the SSI will allow coaches to obtain more precise information concerning the development of skating skills of their players, since it has notably been observed that young players generally have a lower skating efficiency than older players do. Finally, the goal of our last project was to examine the predictive value of our algorithms to estimate oxygen cost and lactate level using an on-ice anaerobic lactic capacity test. Thus, 20 elite players were tested, and post-exercise lactate accumulation was measured. The inclusion of the SSI had a major impact in the lactate level prediction by improving the correlation of the multiple regression model from 0.54 to 0.87, while reducing the standard error of the estimate from 10.4% to 6.5%. This finding is consistent with the results presented by Saltin et al. (1972) who reported the importance of considering an index of mechanical efficiency in this type of test. Our results have led to the development of accurate prediction tools to estimate absolute V̇O2 (r=0.87, SEE=0.19) and lactate level values (r=0.87, SEE=0.94). From a practical point of view, the new algorithms developed will help coaches to determine the maximum lactate concentration without requiring the use of blood samples. Thus, our work will have enabled the development of on-ice assessment tools available to both scientists and coaches.
... Pour être valable, la détermination du Y0 2 max doit être faite au moyen d'un ergomètre qui reflète le mieux possible la réalité compétitive de la discipline (Bouchard et al., 1979;Léger et al., 1979;McArdle et al., 1978). Le problème de spécificité de l 'ergomètre apparaît d'autant plus important en aviron puisque la puissance développée provient autant des bras et du dos que des jambes. ...
... D'autres études avaient rapporté des problèmes de spécificité en natation (McArdle et al., 1978) et en patinage (Léger et al., 1979). En cyclisme où le cycle-ergomètre paraît de prime abord spéc ifique, une étude (Ricci et Léger, 1983) a démontré que les valeurs de Y0 2 max obtenues étaient supérieures sur ergocycle à celles observées sur vélodrome probablement à cause de résistances et fréquences de pédalage très différentes. ...
... Leger et al. (Leger, Seliger & Brassard, 1979) conducted a study to determine the specificity of VO2max response among hockey players and runners, on an ice rink and a treadmill. Shortly afterwards, they performed another study to assess the retrograde extrapolation of VO2max (Leger, Seliger & Brassard, 1980), in which they aimed to compare the value obtained through the retrograde extrapolation of VO2 on the recovery curve at time zero of recovery with the value measured directly in a continuous multiple stage maximal test conducted in a laboratory. ...
The aim of this study was to assess the validity of VO2max prediction using retrograde extrapolation in a breath-by-breath (BxB) gas measurement system. A retrospective study was performed, analysing 31 incremental and maximal stress tests carried out in our laboratory, corresponding to male subjects who practised different sporting activities (age: 29.9 ± 14.45 years; height: 174.4 ± 6.5 cm; weight: 71.4 ± 7.2 kg). A linear regression of the first minute of recovery was used to obtain extrapolated VO2max data and, subsequently, a correction equation was applied that provided predicted VO2max values. Given the variability of data in BxB measurement systems, extrapolated values can be expected to vary significantly from those actually measured, but differences disappeared in the predicted values, which were almost identical to those measured. This method enables stress tests to be performed without having to record gas measurements until the end. It could be useful for the validation of specific field tests, measuring VO2 trackside after the test, during recovery. Resumen. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la validez de la predicción del VO2máx mediante la extrapolación retrógrada en un sistema de medición de gases respiración a respiración (BxB). Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, analizando 31 pruebas de esfuerzo incrementales y máximas realizadas en nuestro laboratorio, correspondientes a sujetos masculinos que practicaban diferentes actividades deportivas (edad: 29,9 ± 14,45 años; talla: 174,4 ± 6,5 cm; peso: 71,4 ± 7,2 kg). Se utilizó una regresión lineal del primer minuto de recuperación para obtener datos de VO2max extrapolados y, posteriormente, se aplicó una ecuación de corrección que proporcionó valores de VO2max predichos. Dada la variabilidad de los datos en los sistemas de medición BxB, se puede esperar que los valores extrapolados varíen significativamente de los realmente medidos, pero las diferencias desaparecieron en los valores predichos, que eran casi idénticos a los medidos. Este método permite realizar pruebas de esfuerzo sin tener que registrar mediciones de gas hasta el final. Podría ser útil para la validación de pruebas de campo específicas, midiendo el VO2 a pie de campo después de la prueba, durante la recuperación.
... Additionally, the maximum velocity and the energy requirements were possibly influenced by the skating efficiency that is influenced by player career experience (21). Furthermore, player's flexed position (hip flexion), while skating on either shorter or longer distances (40 m vs 45 m), could lead to changes in local skeletal muscle oxygen saturation of the lower limbs by creating a blood-flow restriction due to pinching of the inguinal-femoral artery or other blood vessels and affect skating performance (3,18). (14,22). ...
Ferland, P-M, Marcotte-L'Heureux, V, Roy, P, Carey, V, Charron, J, Lagrange, S, Leone, M, and Comtois, AS. Maximal oxygen consumption requirements in professional North American ice hockey. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-This study was designed to measure preseason on-ice relative V[Combining Dot Above]O2max of professional ice-hockey players (n = 101 National Hockey League [NHL], 42 American Hockey League [AHL], 4 East Coast Hockey League [ECHL], and 15 Canadian Hockey League [CHL]) throughout 17 years and compare it between generations, league level, and position, and to verify if it was related to season and NHL career statistics. Relative V[Combining Dot Above]O2max was measured on ice with a portable metabolic analyzer (K4b2, Cosmed, Rome) with full hockey equipment, except for the helmet with either the Skating Multistage Aerobic Test or the 30-15 intermittent ice test tests. Relative V[Combining Dot Above]O2max results from both tests were compared between players of the same generation with an independent-samples T-test and were not significantly different. A one-way analysis of variance and post hoc pairwise tests were performed to detect significant differences between groups. Pearson correlations (two-tailed) were also performed between selected variables. All statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results show that there are no significant differences for relative V[Combining Dot Above]O2max between generations (2001-2003 vs. 2006 vs. 2015-2017), league level (NHL vs. AHL vs. ECHL vs. CHL), and position (winger, center, and defense), other than the ECHL being lower. There are also no significant relationships between V[Combining Dot Above]O2max values and hockey season and NHL career statistics. Thus, the results show that there is a minimal relative V[Combining Dot Above]O2max requirement to play North American ice hockey at the elite level (55.9 ± 5.2 ml·kg-1·min-1; n = 162). Future research should be directed toward comparing V[Combining Dot Above]O2max of elite and amateur ice-hockey players to confirm the minimal relative V[Combining Dot Above]O2max requirement to play North American ice hockey at the elite level.
... Both individual technical abilities affecting skating economy and the ice hockey equipment have been identified as likely contributors leading to discrepancies between on-ice and off-ice performance (7). It has been demonstrated in the literature that ice hockey equipment negatively affects players maximal speed and mechanical efficiency, whereas the additional energy costs may be more related to the design of the outer clothing, causing a hindrance to limb motion, than to the relative mass of the ice hockey equipment (18). In addition, it has been shown that wearing the ice hockey-specific protective equipment leads to the elevation of body temperature, increased sweat loss, and greater accumulation of blood lactate, resulting in reduced power output compared with that wearing undergarments only (21). ...
Legerlotz, K, Kittelmann, J, Dietzel, M, Wolfarth, B, and Böhlke, N. Ice hockey-specific repeated shuttle sprint test performed on ice should not be replaced by off-ice testing. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Although the importance of sport-specific testing has been stated in various studies, the application of standard tests that are little related to the requirements in competition is still widespread in performance diagnostics. Furthermore, the actual exercise mode in testing often deviates from the exercise mode in competition. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate how the performance in an ice hockey mimicking repeated sprint shuttle test conducted off-ice (RSS) differs from the on-ice performance (RISS). The two performance tests were completed by 21 male junior ice hockey players within one week. Anaerobic fatigue was significantly larger in RISS and did not correlate with RSS, whereas best run, mean run, total run time, turn and fly time, and total times in all three shifts correlated moderately. Although the best and mean run times did not differ, these times were achieved with different strategies depending on the test condition, indicated by significantly different split times. Aerobic fatigue in shift 3 was the only parameter where the off-ice measurement correlated strongly with the on-ice measurement. Our results imply that an off-ice test does not predict on-ice performance with sufficient precision, strongly advocating performance testing in the exercise mode used in competition.
... Over the past few decades, several studies have been conducted to describe the physiological requirements of ice hockey players (11,17,23,(30)(31)(32). Traditionally, the assessment of the physiological requirements of hockey players was performed through a variety of off-ice tests (8,13,30,37). ...
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the robustness of equations to predict the oxygen requirement during different skating circumstances commonly found in ice hockey game situations
(skating forward, backward, with and without controlling a puck, during cornering and stops and starts). Twenty-four male elite ice hockey players from 3 categories (pee-wee, bantam, and midget) participated in this study. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and 4 different on-ice high-intensity and short-duration tests were performed. Execution time, heart rate, oxygen uptake,
skating strides, and a skating efficiency index were measured for each test. A regression equation was calculated for each of the 4 tests providing an estimation of oxygen cost. Correlation coefficients ranged from 0.91 to 0.93, and SEE was between 4.5 and 8.4%, indicating that the precision of the regression
algorithms was excellent. The results also suggest that execution time alone, which is the traditional manner to measure skating performance, is a bad estimator of oxygen uptake requirement for this kind of effort (average common variance <11%). Furthermore, age proved to be a determining factor with younger players showing an overall lower level of skating efficiency compared with older
players. In addition, the introduction of a skating index also helps to better determine which factor of performance needs to be improved. Using simple and easy-to-measure variables, coaches will be able to obtain information that will allow them to intervene more precisely on the training parameters that will optimize the individual on-ice performance of their players.
... The current study examined whether select off-ice variables would be important predictors of skating performance in Division III collegiate hockey players. Ice hockey is a sport that requires about 69% anaerobic fitness with aerobic endurance making up approximately 31% of the energy needed to play (Leger et al., 1979). Thus, all energy systems are used during play and recovery, as intensity varies from low to very high (Bogdanis et al., 1996). ...
The purpose of this study was to determine if off-ice perfor-mance variables could predict on-ice skating performance in Division III collegiate hockey players. Both men (n = 15) and women (n = 11) hockey players (age = 20.5 ± 1.4 years) partici-pated in the study. The skating tests were agility cornering S-turn, 6.10 m acceleration, 44.80 m speed, modified repeat skate, and 15.20 m full speed. Off-ice variables assessed were years of playing experience, height, weight and percent body fat and off-ice performance variables included vertical jump (VJ), 40-yd dash (36.58m), 1-RM squat, pro-agility, Wingate peak power and peak power percentage drop (% drop), and 1.5 mile (2.4km) run. Results indicated that 40-yd dash (36.58m), VJ, 1.5 mile (2.4km) run, and % drop were significant predictors of skating performance for repeat skate (slowest, fastest, and average time) and 44.80 m speed time, respectively. Four predictive equations were derived from multiple regression analyses: 1) slowest repeat skate time = 2.362 + (1.68 x 40-yd dash time) + (0.005 x 1.5 mile run), 2) fastest repeat skate time = 9.762 - (0.089 x VJ) - (0.998 x 40-yd dash time), 3) average repeat skate time = 7.770 + (1.041 x 40-yd dash time) - (0.63 x VJ) + (0.003 x 1.5 mile time), and 4) 47.85 m speed test = 7.707 - (0.050 x VJ) - (0.01 x % drop). It was concluded that selected off-ice tests could be used to predict on-ice performance regarding speed and recov-ery ability in Division III male and female hockey players.
Fifty-nine soccer players, 14 European-handball players, and 7 tennis players, all national or international top athletes, were investigated in a maximal treadmill test (heart rate, oxygen intake, blood lactate level), to get further information about endurance characteristics in field athletes.
The soccer players surpassed the anaerobic threshold (4 mmol/l lactate) in relation to their field position (offense, middlefield, defense) at speeds ranging from 11.5 to 13.5 km/h (5% grade for all tests), handball players at 12.2 km/h and tennis players at 11.2 km/h. The maximal running speeds amounted to 15.2 to 16.5 km/h for the soccer players, 15.8 km/h for the handball players and 15.0 for the tennis players. The maximal heart rate of the soccer players ranged from 180 to 190 beats/min, that of the handball players from 186 to 196 beats/min and that of the tennis players from 188 to 200 beats/min. The maximum oxygen intake amounted to between 54.9 and 58.6 ml/kg per min for the soccer players, 58.0 ml/kg per min for the handball players and 55.8 ml/kg per min for the tennis players. The maximal lactate levels lay between 8.7 and 12.5 mmol/l for the soccer, 10.9 mmol/l for the handball and about 9.1 mmol/l for the tennis players.
On the basis of the present experiment the performance diagnostic data could be acquired (endurance capacity, maximal performance capacity), which a soccer player must have in order to be a top rank national or international athlete.
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