Reliability of the force-velocity-power variables during ice hockey sprint acceleration

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study were to ensure that the skating velocity describes a mono-exponential function in order to determine the reliability of radar-derived profiling results from skating sprint accelerations applying sprint running force-velocity assessment approach. Eleven young highly-trained female ice hockey players performed two 40-m skating sprints on two separate days to evaluate inter-trial and test-retest reliability. The velocity-time data recorded by a radar device was used to calculate the kinetics variables of the skating sprint acceleration: maximal theoretical force (F₀), maximal theoretical velocity (V₀), maximal theoretical power (P_max) and the slope of the linear force-velocity relationship (S_FV). S_FV and S_FVrel variables (the slope of the linear relationship between horizontal force relative to body mass and velocity) demonstrated ‘low’ to ‘moderate’ intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). All other variables revealed ‘acceptable’ inter-trial and test-retest reliability (ICC ≥ 0.75 and coefficient of variation [CV] ≤ 10%). Furthermore, test-retest reliability (ICC and CV) and sensitivity [Standard Error of Measurement (SEMs) ≤ Small Worthwhile Change (SWCs)] were higher when averaging the two trials compared to the best trial (40-m split time) only. These findings offer a promising and simple method to monitor training-induced changes in macroscopic mechanical variables of ice hockey skating performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Skating
• instantaneous mechanical power
• biomechanics
• team sports

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the French Federation of Ice Hockey and the players of the French women’s national training centre for their involvement in the experimentation. They also expressed their gratitude to Jean-Baptiste Chauvin, manager of the team for his helpful collaboration.

Disclosure statement

The Laboratory Sport, Expertise and Performance is a partner of the French network for Injury and Illnes Research in Sport (FIIRST), recognized as a Research Centre for the Prevention of Injury and Illness and the Protection of Athletes by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). As a member of the IOC Medical Research Network, FIIRST has received funding from the IOC to establish long-term research programmes on the prevention of injuries and illnesses in sport for the protection of athlete health.