Association between Injury History and Performance of Male Elite Ice Hockey Players


Çömük Balcı N., Akbasli O., Dogan I. E., KAYA KARA Ö.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY, vol.9, no.11, pp.108-118, 2020 (ESCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 9 Issue: 11
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
  • Page Numbers: pp.108-118
  • Keywords: Hockey, performance testing, wounds and injuries, muscular strength and endurance, UPPER-BODY STRENGTH, SKATING PERFORMANCE, OFF-ICE, SPORTS
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between past injuries and the on-ice and off-ice performance of elite male ice hockey players. This study included participation of 50 elite male ice hockey players (age 23.8 +/- 5.3 years). Off-ice performance was measured by 30m Sprint Test, Broad Jump Test, Push-up Test, Hexagon Agility Test, and Plank Test, while on-ice performance was measured by 30m On-ice Sprint Test and Cornering "S" Turn Agility Test. Examination of the athletes' history of injury included their previous injury site, type, number and mechanism of injuries. In the push-up test, there was a significant difference between the athletes who had left hand and right knee injuries and those who had a dislocation injury (p <0.05). A statistically significant difference was determined between athletes who had a puck injury and who had not according to their performance on the cornering s turn agility test results( p <0.05). A statistically significant difference was also found between athletes who had an overuse injury and who had not according to their performance on the 30m sprint and hexagon agility test results(p <0.05). Lastly, there was a significant correlation between on-ice tests and off-ice broad jump, push-up and plank tests (r=-0.310-0.540; p<0.05).This study demonstrates that the push-up test could be the most effective test for determining level of performance after an athlete has suffered an injury. Furthermore, on-ice test results were shown to have a correlation with off-ice plank test results, which could bean indicator of an athlete's core muscle strength following an injury.