AUTHOR=Glaude-Roy Julien , Pharand Philippe , Brunelle Jean-François , Lemoyne Jean 

TITLE=Exploring associations between sprinting mechanical capabilities, anaerobic capacity, and repeated-sprint ability of adolescent ice hockey players

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=Volume 5 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1258497

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2023.1258497

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=Sprinting ability and anaerobic capacities are determinant variables of ice hockey players' performance. Recent research in sprinting showed the existence of distinct force-velocity profiles (F-V), but the link between these profiles and anaerobic capacities is still limited. This study explores associations between F-V variables and anaerobic capacities among cohorts of highly trained adolescent ice hockey players. Data for 36 males (age: 15.1 ± 0.2) and 34 females (age: 16.5 ± 0.7) was collected during off-season camps. All athletes completed a 30-meter sprint test, a Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) and a repeated-sprint anaerobic test (RSA). F-V variables were calculated from the 30-m sprint test. Partial Pearson correlation coefficients for pooled data and Pearson correlation coefficients for individual male and female data sets were calculated. Among F-V variables, maximal theoretical velocity and power were moderatly to largely associated with WAnT and RSA performance    (|r| = [.30, .70]). Maximal theoretical force was moderately associated with the RSA (r = [-.32, -.33]).Results indicate the importance for highly trained adolescent players to be able to apply force at high velocities to maximize anaerobic capacities. Important differences between male and female players suggest training priorities may differ according to sex.