Elite Adolescent Ice Hockey Players: Analyzing Associations between Anthropometry, Fitness, and On-Ice Performance

Gaëtan Martini, Jean-François Brunelle, Vincent Lalande and Jean Lemoyne
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Gaëtan Martini: Ice Hockey Research Laboratory, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada
Jean-François Brunelle: Ice Hockey Research Laboratory, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada
Vincent Lalande: Ice Hockey Research Laboratory, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada
Jean Lemoyne: Ice Hockey Research Laboratory, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-19

Abstract: In the field of ice hockey, body mass and height have always played a role in team selection. This study aims to analyze the associations between anthropometry and multiple dimensions of performance among elite adolescent ice hockey players. Methods: 187 adolescent players (males: n = 80, 13.81 years; females: n = 107, 14.96 years) took part in the study, in Camp 1. Off-ice fitness and on-ice skating tests were performed. Camp 2 consists of on-ice tests and match performance with players selected by coaching staff at Camp 1. Camp 2 data came from official matches performance and a combination of skating tests and intrasquad matches. Hockey Quebec’s selection process consists of going from an entire pool of athletes to a team of twenty-five players, through several camps spread over two years. Correlation analyses were conducted to verify associations between anthropometric measures and performances. Results: In Camp 1, heavier-taller male athletes displayed better performances in most off-ice fitness tests, while heavier female athletes tended to display poorer performance. Camp 2 showed no significant correlations in on-ice tests and match performance. However, some tendencies were observed: heavier male players were less involved in blocked shots, and taller females were more agile. Conclusions: Despite off-ice advantages, the taller-heavier prototype does not translate directly to better performance on the ice among elite adolescent players. Coaches should analyze anthropometric characteristics with caution, and place more focus on match-specific abilities to identify talent.

Keywords: body mass; height; fitness assessment; on-ice testing; young athletes; selection camps; match performance; talent identification (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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