The subject of this work is the beginning of women's ice hockey in Kladno, Czech Republic. This study deals with the continuity of the team in its early years from 1986 to 1992. The author uses Clifford Geertz interpretative approach to culture and oral history as a method. The rise of Kladno women's hockey club is shown in the context of women's hockey history in the World and Czechoslovakia. The story of the club is based on analysis and interpretation of interviews which were led with seven hockey players from the first generation. The work shows everyday life of hockey players in Kladno and also shows the dynamic of the team life in late eighties. The whole story is situated in social and sport life in Kladno, where ice hockey was very popular game and entertainment. As a crucial factors, which helped the preservation of the club after it was abandoned by its founders, were identified firstly the transition of the team from "friendship first" club to the team where it is mostly important "what happened on the ice" secondly the ability of the first hockey players to accept new joiners. The paper explains founding of the tradition of one sport club in former Czechoslovakia.

Depuis de nombreuses années, l’introduction de la mise en échec corporelle (MÉC) dans le hockey mineur anime plusieurs discussions au sein de la population canadienne. Plusieurs études ont démontré que le risque de blessures est plus élevé dans des ligues de catégorie peewee évoluant avec la MÉC contrairement à celles évoluant sans la MÉC. En revanche, rares sont les études qui ont mis au centre de leur réflexion son impact sur le développement global des joueurs. L’objectif de cette étude est de comparer, grâce au Team Sport Assessment Procedure adapté au hockey sur glace, la performance offensive des joueurs peewee évoluant avec la MÉC (Calgary) et sans la MÉC (Québec). Les actions réalisées en possession de la rondelle ont été comptabilisées pour 280 joueurs de Québec et 272 joueurs de Calgary. Les résultats des régressions de Poisson démontrent que peu de différences significatives ont été obtenues entre la performance des joueurs de ces deux cohortes pour les variables étudiées. / The practice of body-checking (BC) in minor hockey has sparked a lengthy series of debates among Canadians. Recent studies have shown that players are at much greater risk for injury in leagues that allow BC compared to those that do not. However, few studies have examined the impact of BC on the offensive development of peewee players (aged 11–12 years). The purpose of this study was to compare the offensive performance of peewee players that practice BC (Calgary) or not (Quebec City) using the Team Sport Assessment Procedure adapted for hockey. A total of 280 players in Quebec City and 272 equivalent-level players in Calgary were videotaped handling the puck in competitive play during the 2007–2008 season. Poisson regression results for the variables and performance indexes indicate no significant differences in offensive performance between players who used BC or not. Expert opinions that introducing BC at a young age can improve overall development of hockey skills are therefore not supported.

La mise en échec corporelle (MÉC) dans le hockey mineur est considérée comme l’un des grands débats dans le monde du sport. Plusieurs études ont démontré que le risque de blessure est plus élevé dans des ligues évoluant avec la MÉC contrairement à celles évoluant sans la MÉC. L’objectif de cette étude est de comparer l’incidence des contacts physiques associés à la MÉC chez des joueurs de hockey sur glace de catégorie bantam, selon leur expérience de la MÉC dans la catégorie peewee. Au moment de cette étude, les règlements à l’égard de l’utilisation de la MÉC étaient différents pour la région de Québec (MÉC interdite pour la catégorie peewee) et la région de Calgary (MÉC permise pour la catégorie peewee). Au total, 9 039 contacts physiques (CP) ont été observés en 31 parties (Calgary, n=16; Québec, n=15). Les résultats démontrent que peu de différences significatives ont été observées. / To determine whether the incidence and types of body contact differ for Bantam players (aged 13–14 years) who were exposed to body checking (BC) at Peewee level (aged 11–12 years) in Calgary, Alberta versus Bantam players who were not exposed to BC at Pee Wee level in Québec City, Québec. A cohort study was conducted during the 2008–2009 ice hockey season. Sixteen games for Calgary and 15 for Québec City were randomly selected and analyzed with a validated observation system. A total of 5,610 incidences of body contact with the trunk and 3,429 other types of body contact were observed. Level 1 contact was more frequent in Québec City ([ARR]: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.28–2.29). Hooking (ARR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.42–3.32) and slashing (ARR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.31–8.58) were more frequent in Calgary. Results suggest that players’ behaviors can differ, but not significantly.

Professional ice hockey players from the International Hockey League (IHL) were asked to complete an 87 item nutrition survey. The survey reviewed sports supplement use, hydration, nutrition beliefs and practices, and asked from whom athletes obtain nutrition information. The survey was available in English and Russian.This study found the nutrition practices of ice hockey players to be similar to those reported of other team sports. The ice hockey players were likely to believe sports nutrition myths, especially those regarding the use of protein and amino acids. In addition, the subjects routinely experimented with sports supplements. The majority of subjects reported having tried new sports supplements at least once per season.Nutrition information sources were most frequently teammates, athletic trainers, and the media. Registered dietitians were not widely reported as a nutrition information resource as the majority of the athletes did not have access to a registered dietitian.Given the nutrition beliefs and practices of the athletes surveyed, it is clear the athletes would benefit from nutrition education specific to the sport of ice hockey. More research is needed to establish actual nutrient intake. Other studies focusing on nutrition knowledge of athletic trainers and other cited nutrition resources would also be beneficial. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 2017. / Background: Ice hockey is a fast paced team sport, played on an ice surface in an enclosed arena. As a result of the high contact, aggressive nature of the sport, players are susceptible to injury. Ice hockey is not a popular sport in South Africa and the environment is unique in comparison to international ice hockey countries. The playing surfaces and ice rink arenas differ across South Africa, which may affect the risk of injury in this population. Protective equipment is not easily accessible to ice hockey players in South Africa and therefore they may be at a higher risk of injury. Participation in ice hockey is developing in South Africa; however there is a paucity in the literature relating to injuries in the South African context. This study aimed to determine a profile of ice hockey injuries in South African players. Methodology: This study was a quantitative, descriptive study that used a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to 187 ice hockey players (141 male and 46 female) who were registered with the South African Ice Hockey Association. Players were required to sign the letter of information and informed consent form, following which, questionnaires were distributed to the participants who met the study criteria. The researcher was present to supervise and collect all forms and completed questionnaires directly after completion. The questionnaire contained sections on demographics, injuries sustained over the previous season as well as the use of protective equipment. The results were analysed using SPSS version 24 and a p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The response rate met the minimum requirement of 138 males and 45 females. Of the 187 participants, 110 (58.8%) of the participants sustained at least one injury due to ice hockey. Age was considered to be a risk factor in this study as those participants in the youngest age group of 18-27 were at a higher risk of all injuries (χ2 p-value < 0.0001). Although gender was not a risk factor for the total number of injuries, female players in this study were at a greater risk of head and knee injuries (χ2 p-value = 0.0196 and χ2 p-value = 0.0046 respectively). The most severe injury affected the head (10.2%, n = 19) and overall the knee was the most commonly affected area of injury (n = 30). The majority of the injuries were sustained during a game and resulted from contact with another player. The results of this study showed that the use of protective equipment does not prevent all injuries in ice hockey. The type of facial protection worn was a risk factor for facial injuries and the lack of a mouthguard was a risk factor for head injuries. Conclusion: The aim of this study was to determine a profile of ice hockey injuries in South African players. The South African demographic profile of ice hockey players showed similarities to international profiles with respect to age, gender, BMI and player position. The profile of injuries in this study was similar to international injury profiles in terms of site, type, severity, onset and mechanism of injury and regarding the majority of injuries being sustained during a game. Ice hockey players in the younger age groups were at a higher risk of injury both in South Africa and internationally. Females were at a higher risk of head injuries in comparison to males which is congruent with international literature. In South Africa, and internationally, the use of full facial protection and a mouthguard was shown to decrease the risk of facial and head injuries respectively. The South African demographic profile differed from international findings in terms of experience level, total hours of training per week and number of games played in a season. The injury profile of South African ice hockey players showed that this population is at a higher risk of muscular injuries than international players. Larger ice surfaces and flexible boards and glass did not reduce the risk of injury in South African ice hockey players in the same way as it has internationally. / M

Ice hockey is a sport like many others that has been dominated by men throughout history. This shows both when it comes to sporting conditions and what gets exposure in media. This essay studies four Swedish newspapers reporting on the Swedish men’s and women’s hockey teams during the Olympics 1998 and 2018. With the help of a quantitative content analysis it analyzes to which degree the reporting is gender equal and what the difference between 1998 and 2018 is. The result of the essay is more equal now than it was 20 years ago. Women’s hockey gets more exposure in the media, female players are being quoted in the articles to a greater extent and the language in the articles about women’s hockey are more similar to the articles about men’s hockey in 2018. Even though there has been a progression, there is still a long way to go to full equality in the reporting on ice hockey. There was still more than twice as many articles about men’s hockey than women’s hockey in the four analyzed  newspapers in 2018 and men’s hockey is still the norm that women’s hockey is being compared to.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2009 / Objectives: When we consider the body position of a field hockey player, the lumbar spine is always in a flexed position, which combined with rotational movements during various hitting and pushing techniques, increases the strain upon the spine and surrounding muscles, thus leading to low back pain. To determine the relationship between core strength and trunk extensor endurance relating to the incidence of acute low back pain in field hockey players. Project Design: The research project was in the form of a quantitative cross-sectional study, using human subjects. Setting: The research project occurred during the field hockey season (2008) with players who had acute low back pain. The players were clinically assessed and subdivided into necessary groups at the Chiropractic Day Clinic at the Durban Institute of Technology. Subjects: Adult, male patients, aged between 18 and 30 years of age, playing premier field hockey. Out of the thirty players, 12 players have played in the National u/21 squad, 7 players have played in a Junior National team and 11 players have played senior provincial field hockey. Outcome measure: This included three tests. Firstly, the absolute difference of pressure from the reference value of 70mmHg (prone) and 40mmHg (supine) was used as the outcome measure on a Pressure Biofeedback Unit and length of time (in seconds), a correct contraction of the core stability muscles was maintained. Secondly, the length of time (in seconds) for Trunk Extensor Endurance. Thirdly, repeated measures for NRS-101 and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale for the duration of the research period. v Results: It was found that there was no statistical evidence or convincing trend to show that the training programmes (core stability and trunk extensor endurance) increased the subjects’ core strength or trunk extensor endurance in the time allocated, although there seemed to be a placebo effect in the Trunk Extensor Group, which showed improvement in some of the core stability outcomes. There was statistical evidence that the intervention (training programmes) reduced pain, according to the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (Quebec) score over time, and a non-significant trend suggested this according to the Numerical Rating Scale-101 (NRS). Since both groups’ NRS and Quebec scores were not significantly different at baseline, the difference can be attributed to the effect of the intervention. Conclusions: The results of this study found that the Trunk Extensor Endurance Group, that performed the trunk extensor endurance training programme, yielded better results in core stability and trunk extensor endurance. However, the Core Stability Group, that performed the core stability training programme, showed a quicker reduction in pain levels during the three week intervention period. Therefore, by combining both training programmes, future rehabilitation of athletes suffering from acute low back pain will be more successful. Sport performance of the athletes (field hockey players), through the proponents of swiss ball training, will also improve.

En l’absence de mesure précise et unique de l’efficience pour les joueurs de hockey, la présente étude a pour objectifs d’évaluer l’efficience des joueurs dans la Ligue Nationale de Hockey (LNH) et de montrer comment celle-ci peut affecter la décision de racheter le contrat d’un joueur. Pour ce faire, les statistiques individuelles des joueurs de la LNH pour les saisons 2007-2008 à 2010-2011 sont utilisées. Pour estimer l’efficience, la méthode de l’enveloppement de données (DEA) avec bootstrap est utilisée. Les inputs incluent le salaire et le nombre de minutes de jeu, alors que les outputs incluent la contribution défensive et offensive de chaque joueur. Pour estimer l’association entre l’efficience individuelle et la probabilité d’un rachat de contrat, une régression logistique est utilisée. L’analyse des données montre que parmi 3 159 observations, l’efficience moyenne est de 0,635. L’efficience moyenne est similaire pour toutes les positions et toutes les saisons. Un lien positif et fort est trouvé entre le nombre de points au classement général d’une équipe et l’efficience moyenne des joueurs qui la compose (coefficient de corrélation=0,43, valeur-p<0,01). Les joueurs avec une efficience plus élevée ont une probabilité plus faible de voir leur contrat racheté (rapport des chances=0,01, valeur-p<0,01). La présente étude conclut donc que la plupart des joueurs de hockey dans la LNH ont un degré d’inefficience non négligeable, qu’une efficience plus élevée est associée à une meilleure performance au niveau de l’équipe et que les joueurs efficients ont une probabilité plus faible de voir leur contrat racheté.

Although there have been many studies examining the factors involved in children’s risk of injury, there has been a dearth of research that examines specific individual parental factors in children’s risk of injury. This thesis examined how the attitudes, values, and beliefs of 119 Canadian minor hockey parents of children (aged 9 to 12 years) with respect to their decision-making regarding their children’s safe participation in hockey. Two studies are reported. The first study describes: (a) the development of a questionnaire that quantifies the constructs of perceived control, probabilities, values, risk propensity, competitiveness, and assertiveness expectancies; and (b) a sample of hockey parents in terms of their demographic characteristics and their attitudes, values, and beliefs regarding their children’s participation in minor hockey. The second study examined the relationships between these attitudes, values, and beliefs and a measure of their risk decision-making. Overall, results showed that (a) this sample of hockey parents tended to be well educated, and did not see themselves as being generally over-competitive or aggressive; (b) hockey parents’ attitudes, values, and beliefs regarding their children’s risk of concussion had very little predictive value or reliable connection with respect to their risk decision-making on behalf of their children; and (c) the most significant factors in parents’ risk decision-making were the opinions of their children, and the opinions of the doctors. The implications of these findings for future research and practice are discussed. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2012-12-21 16:12:00.221

A lot of young athletes have great dreams but only a few reaches the stars. Which ways make it possible for the dreams to come true? This study has made a small research on the Swedish NHL professionals have made their way to the NHL by looking at data about their choices during his career, and tried to see if there is any connection between their paths to every hockey player's dream, the NHL. Results of the study show that there is a anatla different ways to go, but some are more common than others.