The effect of selected warm-up protocols on forward ice-skating performance in elite ice-hockey players.

• Main Author: Compton, Jeffrey Bruce
• Other Authors: Wenger, Howard A.
• Language: English; en
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: Exercise; skating; UVic Subject Index::Humanities and Social Sciences::Education::Physical education and training
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1828/1247

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of selected warm-up protocols (WUP) on forward ice-skating and perception of readiness to perform (RTP). Twenty male Jr. A hockey players (age = 18.7 ± 0.9 yrs; experience = 1.6 ± 1.0 seasons) participated in the study. Participants completed five different conditions: one with no warm-up (NO) performed on the first day and four WUP sessions administered in random order. WUP included: a) complete Hockey Canada WUP (HC), b) Hockey Canada off-ice only WUP (OFF), c) Hockey Canada on-ice only WUP (ON), d) on and off-ice explosive specific WUP (ES). Testing sessions consisted of the WUP followed by 15 minutes of rest after each on and/or off-ice portion. Skating performance (SP) was measured with infra-red timing gates (Brower Timing Systems, Utah, USA) at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 m. Three maximal trials with three minutes rest between trials were performed and averaged for statistical comparison. Significant SP differences occurred between ES vs. NO and OFF at all distances. Significant SP differences occurred between HC and ON vs. NO and OFF at 4 m and between HC and NO from 2 to 16 m. RTP was determined through a visual analogue scale question posed immediately pre and post- WUP and pre-SP. RTP increased significantly with each WUP while pre-WUP and pre- SP RTP scores were not significantly different across WUP. No correlation between RTP and SP was found.