Practice and Match Workload Characteristics of Elite Men’s Ice Hockey

Authors

  • Steven Nightingale New Jersey Devils
  • Jonathan Hughes Cardiff Metropolitan University
  • Mark De Ste Croix University of Gloucestershire
  • Craig Pfeifer University of South Carolina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0635-4956

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47206/6pjxq012

Keywords:

External Workload, Monitoring, Player Optimization

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to record and present data related to the external workload demand of elite male ice hockey players, in both matches and practices, including the differences between positions, as well as time on ice values for the population. External workload monitoring was performed using a CatapultTMinertial measurement unit system and data was collected for the duration of one full season in the Kontinental Hockey League (Russia). The study found forwards had significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) absolute and relative values in both games and practices for most metrics, when compared to defensemen, and regardless of position, games had significantly higher workload demand than practices. Furthermore, defensemen had significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) time on ice values than forwards. Ice time was not spread evenly between players of the same position, but was consistent for each individual athlete. The findings can be used by coaches to assist in the planning of on-ice training to optimize player performance and readiness.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biographies

  • Jonathan Hughes, Cardiff Metropolitan University

    Jonathan D. Hughes is a senior lecturer in Strength and Conditioning at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

  • Mark De Ste Croix, University of Gloucestershire

    Mark De Ste Croix is a professor of Paediatric Sport and Exercise at University of Gloucestershire

  • Craig Pfeifer, University of South Carolina

    Craig Pfeifer is a qualitative data scientist at Verana Health.

Downloads

Published

2024-12-27

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2024): Vol 4 No 1 (2024): International Journal of Strength and Conditioning

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Steven Nightingale, Jonathan Hughes, Mark De Ste Croix, Craig Pfeifer

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright of their work, granting IJSC a license to publish and distribute. All articles are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. We clearly state any fees associated with submissions or access for readers. For copyright or licensing queries, stakeholders can reach out to journal@iusca.org.

How to Cite

Nightingale, Steven, Jonathan Hughes, Mark De Ste Croix, and Craig Pfeifer. 2024. “Practice and Match Workload Characteristics of Elite Men’s Ice Hockey”. International Journal of Strength and Conditioning 4 (1). https://doi.org/10.47206/6pjxq012.