Previous Injury History and Performance of Male Elite Ice Hockey Players

BACKGROUND: In ice hockey, skating is a combination of speed, power, and balance. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between previous injury history and on-ice and off-ice performance of elite male ice hockey players. METHODS: This study was designed as prospective cross-sectional study. Fifty elite men's ice hokey players included (n=50, mean age 23y 8mo, SD 5y 3mo). Off-ice performance measures were 30 m Sprint Test, Broad Jump Test, Push-up Test, Hexagon Agility Test, Plank Test. The 2 on-ice tests were 30m On-ice Sprint Test and Cornering "S" Turn Agility Test.The athletes' history of injury were including previous injury site, type, number and the mechanism of injury. RESULTS: In push up test, there was a significant difference in those who had left hand and right knee injuries and, athletes who had dislocation were found to be statistically significant (p <0.05). According to cornering s turn agility test results, athletes who had puck injury were found to be statistically significant (p <0.05). In 30m sprint and hexagon agility test results, athletes who had overuse injury were found to be statistically significant (p <0.05). There was a significant correlation between on-ice 30m sprint and cornering s turn agility tests with broad jump test and also with off-ice push-up and plank tests (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the performance tests, push up test might be a distinctive test in determining the performance of the athletes after injury. Also on-ice tests had a correlation with off-ice plank test which is the indicator of core muscle strength.

We believe that the current performance and performance deficiencies of the athletes determined and existing training programs will be arranged to eliminate performance deficiencies. We wanted to raise awareness about whether there is a general deficiency in ice hockey performance caused by past injuries and which exercises should be included in the training program in order to overcome performance deficiencies.

The subjects were 50 elite men's ice hockey players playing in the super league from Turkish clubs subject to Turkey Ice Hockey Federation. All ice hockey players had practicing training programs after warming up for 10 minutes for at least 3 days a week and 1 hour in a day during the season. They also played a match at least 1 day a week. The inclusion criteria were; being a member of Turkish Ice Hockey Federation and to be subject to any of the licensed athletes who played in the super league team, to be over 18, to be male. Exclusion criteria were; being under the age of 18, being a woman, having not suffered a musculoskeletal injury that would prevent him from going to training in the last 1 year or affect the outcome of the measurements.

The subjects were given a written description of study procedures and potential risks.The athletes'history of injury including previous injury site, type, number, date, surgical status, time to return to the field after the injury and the mechanism of injury were recorded. The subjects completed off-ice performance measures followed by on-ice testing with time allotted for warm-up before both the off-ice and on-ice testing.

Upper body strength and muscular endurance were examined by asking each player to complete the maximum number of push-ups

For the hexagon agility test, an equilateral hexagonal with 60 cm on each side was drawn to the ground, the athletes stood in the hexagonand started bouncing off the 6 sides in sequence and jumped back to their original positions. The athletes were reminded that their direction should always be the same when bouncing.The time was started with the start command. The test was stopped at moment he jumped from the last edge into the hexagon

For the Cornering S Turn Agility Test, participants started behind the goal line and net and skated around the two near faceoff circles an S-type fashion

The athletes'history of injury including previous injury site, type, number, date, surgical status, time to return to the field after the injury and the mechanism of injury were recorded.

Inclusion Criteria: Being a member of Turkish Ice Hockey Federation, To be subject to any of the licensed athletes who played in the super league team To be over 18, To be male. Exclusion Criteria: Being under the age of 18, Being a woman, Having not suffered a musculoskeletal injury that would prevent him from going to training in the last 1 year or affect the outcome of the measurements.