Off-Ice Training for On-Ice Success: How General Fitness Translates to Skating Prowess

This episode explores the crucial link between off-ice training and on-ice performance in highly trained teenage hockey players. We break down the surprising connections between general fitness activities like sprinting, agility drills, and standing long jumps, and specific components of skating performance.
● The study analyzed the performance of highly trained teenage hockey players during an off-season evaluation camp.
● Researchers found moderate to large associations between off-ice physical abilities and the mechanical properties of skating, particularly the ability to generate force (F0) and achieve high velocity (V0) on the ice.
● While all off-ice measures contributed to both F0 and V0, specific exercises appeared to translate more directly to particular aspects of skating:
○ Standing long jumps and change-of-direction drills showed a stronger association with F0, which is crucial for powerful acceleration on the ice.
○ 30-meter sprint performance showed a stronger association with V0, highlighting its importance for achieving high skating speeds.
● The study also found interesting differences between male and female players:
○ Female players' off-ice performance correlated more strongly with F0, suggesting they might benefit more from training focused on building force production.
○ Male players, on the other hand, showed a stronger correlation between off-ice performance and V0, indicating the importance of speed-focused training for them.
● This research underscores the importance of general physical preparation for young hockey players and suggests that tailoring off-season training programs to address individual needs and sex-based differences can lead to significant improvements in on-ice performance.
Tune in as we unpack the science behind these findings and discuss practical implications for coaches and athletes aiming to elevate their game through targeted off-ice training.
Main source: Associations between skating mechanical capabilities and off‐ice physical abilities of highly trained teenage ice hockey players
Julien Glaude‐Roy, Julien Ducas, Jean‐François Brunelle, Jean Lemoyne
Eur J Sport Sci. 2024 Oct; 24(10): 1414–1422. Published online 2024 Sep 10. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.12184
PMCID: PMC11451559