Game Demands of a Professional Ice Hockey Team with Special Emphasis on Fatigue Development and Playing Position.

The aim of this study was to describe the game activity profile of a professional ice hockey team with special emphasis on fatigue development and playing position. Data were collected using a wearable 200-Hz accelerometric system and heart rate (HR) throughout eight official games in a professional ice hockey team (6 defensemen and 11 forwards; n = 122 files). On-ice 10- and 30-m sprint performance, repeated sprint ability and HR responses to the submaximal Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery level 1 test were assessed to determine associations with game performance. Although the 3rd period was largely longer than the 1st and 2nd periods (r = 0.56-0.59), no differences were observed between periods in activity pattern, except a moderate decline in the number of decelerations <-2 m·s-2 per min (Dec2/min) in the 2nd period for forwards (r = 0.06-0.60). Mean HR, time spent >85% HRmax (t85HR), as well as the total number of intense accelerations and decelerations were higher for defensemen. However, demands were similar when expressed relative to time on-ice, except that defenders performed more Dec2/min than forwards in all periods, whereas forwards spent more t85HR during the 2nd period (r = 0.46-0.57). Time spent on ice was inversely correlated with the total number of accelerations (Acctot), accelerations >2 m·s-2 per min (Acc2/min), total decelerations per min (Dectot/min), Dec2/min and t85HR (r = -0.63 to -0.18) and positively correlated with mean HR and peak HR (r = 0.20- 0.53). No significant correlations were found between physical fitness and game activity variables scaled by individual time on ice. Absolute acceleration and HR demands of professional ice hockey seem to differ between playing positions, but not in relation to time on ice. Further, no clear signs of fatigue were captured, possibly due to the longer duration of rest intervals in the 3rd period.

Use of Rating of Perceived Exertion-Based Training Load in Elite Ice Hockey Training and Match-Play.

ABSTRACT: Rago, V, Vigh-Larsen, JF, Deylami, K, Muschinsky, A, and Mohr, M. Use of rating of perceived exertion-based training load in elite ice hockey training and match-play. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2837-2843, 2022-Training load (TL) based on the subjective rating of perceived exertion (RPE) may be a useful athlete monitoring alternative when wearable technology is unavailable. The aim of this study was to examine the validity of RPE-based TL monitoring in elite ice hockey. A male ice hockey team ( n = 18) was monitored using a 200-Hz accelerometer, heart rate (HR) and RPE (0-10 scale), throughout a 4-week competitive period ( n = 309 individual observations). Session-RPE (RPE × duration) averaged 244.8 ± 135.2 and 728.6 ± 150.9 arbitrary units (AU) during practice sessions and during official games, respectively. The smallest worthwhile change was 19.8 AU. Within-individual correlations between session-RPE and total accelerations >0.5 m·s -2 (Acc tot ), accelerations >2 m·s -2 (Acc2), total decelerations >-0.5 m·s -2 (Dec tot ), decelerations < -2 m·s -2 (Dec2), time > 85% maximum HR, Edwards' TL, and modified training impulse were very large ( r = 0.70-0.89; p < 0.001). In addition, correlations between RPE and measures of exercise intensity (Acc tot per min, Acc2 per min, Dec tot per min, mean HR, and peak HR) were small ( r = 0.02-0.29; p < 0.05) except for Dec2 being unclear ( p = 0.686). Differences in intensity parameters between RPE range (easy to very hard, 2-7 AU) were small ( r = 0.22-0.31; p < 0.05). The session-RPE method can be used as a global indicator of TL in ice hockey. Specific ranges of time-motion and HR intensity variables can be demarcated between RPE categories (easy to very hard; 2-7 AU). Accounting for training volume (session-RPE) more accurately reflects objective methods of TL based on accelerative efforts and HR, than the RPE score (based on the perception of the intensity).

Weekly Training Load in Elite Male Ice Hockey: Practice Versus Competition Demands.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare training load (TL) between practice and games across in-season microcycles in elite Danish male ice hockey. METHODS: Practice sessions and game data were collected using a wearable 200-Hz accelerometer, heart rate (HR) recording, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) throughout 23 practice sessions and 8 competitive games (n = 427 files) and examined in relation to the number of days before the game (game day minus). RESULTS: Total accelerations, accelerations >2 m·s-2 (Acc2), total decelerations, decelerations less than -2 m·s-2 (Dec2), time >85% maximum heart rate (t85HRmax), Edwards TL, modified training impulse (TRIMPMOD), session-RPE, peak HR (HRpeak), and RPE were greater during competition than during practice (r = .19-.91; P < .05), whereas total accelerations per minute and total decelerations per minute were lower (r = .27-.36; P < .001). Acc2, t85HRmax, Edwards TL and TRIMPMOD, % t85HRmax, mean HR (HRmean), and RPE progressively decreased toward game day (r = .13-.63; P < .001). Positive correlations were found between Acc2, Dec2, Acc2 per minute, and Dec2 per minute during practice and during competition (r = .66-.84; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Evident within-week decreases in internal TL but not external TL were observed as the game day approached. Day-to-day variations were more pronounced in HR- and RPE-based parameters than accelerations and decelerations. Finally, the amount of intense accelerations and decelerations performed during practice was associated to the amount performed during competition, whereas physiological and perceptual demands showed no such relationship.