The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological response of an in-line submaximal skate on two surfaces using two wheel types and two bearing types. The variables measured were V0$ sb2$ and HR. Ten male varsity hockey players volunteered as subjects. The subjects, after being assigned one of two wheel types with varying durometers, skated the submaximal test twice for each surface (concrete and asphalt) using a different type of bearing (precision and semi-precision) each time. These results were compared to a similar on-ice submaximal skating test session. / Results revealed no significant difference between in-line skating with wheels of 78 and 82 Shore A durometers (p $<$.05) with both V0$ sb2$ and HR as markers. A significant difference was found between in-line skating with precision and semi-precision bearings with V0$ sb2$ as a marker (p $<$.05), however, not with HR as a marker (p = 0.31). On-ice skating was significantly different from in-line skating on concrete and asphalt surfaces for both physiological markers. In-line skating on asphalt and concrete surfaces resulted in similar physiological responses. It was concluded that hockey players training with in-line skates obtain the same training benefits using either wheel durometers, but will have greater oxygen costs when training with semi-precision bearings than training with precision bearings.

Objectives. The purpose of this study was too determine whether there were significant kinematic differences between recreational and elite hockey players and between contra-lateral lower limbs during forward hockey skating. / Methods. While skating on a hockey treadmill subjects were filmed with four synchronized digital video cameras while wearing reflective marker triads on the thighs, shanks and skates. Subjects skated within a calibrated volume at a self selected speed that they could maintain comfortably for one minute. Each subject completed three trials separated by 5 minutes of rest. Data was reduced and analyzed using programs written in MATLAB. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey Post Hoc tests were used to determine statistic significance. / Results. Elite and recreational subjects were significantly different (p≤0.05) during knee abduction and knee rotation at push off, as well as during knee abduction and knee flexion at blade contact. Contra lateral lower limbs were significantly different (p≤0.05) during ankle abduction and hip rotation at blade contact as well as during knee abduction at push off. / Conclusion. Some aspects of the skating stride are similar in elite and recreational hockey skaters but there were several kinematic differences between skill levels and contra-lateral legs. The skating kinematics of elite hockey players may serve as a model for young hockey players and recreational hockey players, helping them develop a more efficient and effective stride.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

This study compared the plantar force distribution between forward ice hockey skating and treadmill skating. Four varsity hockey players from McGill University (age = 22.1 +/- 1.2 years, height = 1.8 +/- 0.1 m, mass = 82.2 +/- 8.6 kg) skated on ice surface and on a specialized treadmill at three velocities (22, 24 and 26 +/- 0.5 km/hr). Results showed higher plantar forces were seen during treadmill skating prior to push off and this discrepancy was due to consistently larger forces in the fore region of the foot. This phenomenon was speculated to be the result of differences in skate stability during ice and treadmill skating. With respect to the loading dynamics, the heel region was the same during ice and treadmill skating.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of skate blade hollow on oxygen consumption during forward skating on a treadmill. Varsity level female hockey players ( n = 10, age = 21.7 yr) performed skating tests at three blade hollows (0.25 in, 0.50 in, and 0.75 in). The subjects skated for four minutes at three submaximal velocities (12, 14, and 16 km/h), separated by five minutes of passive recovery. In addition, a VO^max test was performed on the day that the subjects skated at the 0.50 in hollow. The VOimax test commenced at 14 km/h and increased by 1 km/h each minute until volitional exhaustion was achieved. Four variables were measured for each skating bout, volume of gas expired (VE), volume of oxygen consumed (VO2), heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). No significant differences (pO.05) were found in any of the four test variables (VE, VO2, HR, RPE) across the three skate hollows. These results show that when skating on a treadmill at submaximal velocities, skate blade hollow has no significant effect on VE, VO2, HR or RPE.

The purpose was to compare the blood lactate response and performance of varsity hockey players to recreational players, and to provide a shift by shift analysis of blood lactate accumulation in a simulated ice hockey task. Ten university, varsity players and ten recreational players performed a continuous aerobic treadmill test (VO2max), a 45 s Wingate test, and four trials of the Repeat Sprint Skate (RSS) test. Each RSS test consisted of four repetitions of a 91.4 m skate with repetitions initiated on 30 s intervals. To simulate game, competition, 5 min of recovery separated each RSS test. Results indicated: (1) performance of the varsity players was superior (p < 0.01) to that of the recreational players in the RSS test; (2) four shifts of the RSS test elicited similar peak blood lactate concentrations for the varsity and recreational groups; (3) change in blood lactate following 15 min of passive recovery was similar in the two groups, and (4) there was a significant relationship (&prop; = 0.05) between performance indices in the RSS test and corresponding variables measured in the 45 s Wingate test.

This study investigated the EMG muscle activation patterns of forward ice hockey skating at three velocities. Seven varsity hockey players from McGill University (age = 22.1 +/- 1.2 years, height = 1.8 +/- 0.1m, weight = 82.1 +/- 8.5 kg) participated. Testing was done using a skating treadmill. Skin was shaved, abraded and cleansed in the area of the electrode placement over the vastus medialis (VM), adductor magnus (AM), biceps femoris (BF), gluteus maximus, tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL), and lateral gastrocnemius (GL) of the right lower limb. Subjects skated at 12 km/hr, 18 km/hr, and 24 km/hr. Repeated measures ANOVAs were performed, followed by Tukey post hoc tests. In general, the amplitude at speed 24km/hr was significantly higher than the speed of 12km/hr. There were few significant differences in temporal values. In conclusion, this study has shown that an increase in velocity results in an increase in the amount of muscle activation, but the muscle coordination patterns remain the same.

The purpose of this study was to describe various kinematic variables of the skating stride. A data set for five collegiate hockey players was completed (mean +/- SD: age = 22.0 +/- 1.0 years, height = 1.77 +/- 0.06 m, weight = 80.0 +/- 8.5 kg). Three velocities were examined on the skating treadmill: slow (12 km/hr), medium (18 km/hr) and fast (24 km/hr). Electrogoniometers at the hip (H), knee (K) and ankle (ANK) were used to acquire angular displacement and velocity profiles. A trend for increasing range of motion and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in stride rate was observed with speed. Movement patterns between subjects were consistent for the H and K with some variations at the ANK. The study concluded that skating speed was controlled by stride rate while movement profiles remained unchanged.