This episode explores how wearable sensors measure body impacts in elite hockey players. Learn how video analysis confirms the accuracy of sensor-detected collisions and what it means for player safety and injury prevention.
Discover the science behind wearable impact sensors in ice hockey. We examine how well these sensors track body contact, from checks to falls, and their role in improving injury monitoring and player protection.
Main source: Video corroboration of player incurred impacts using trunk worn sensors among national ice-hockey team members
Aaron Pilotti-Riley, Davor Stojanov, Muhammad Sohaib Arif, Stephen J. McGregor
PLoS One. 2019; 14(6): e0218235. Published online 2019 Jun 24. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218235
PMCID: PMC6590802

Explore the interplay of cognitive and motor skills in elite ice hockey players. This episode delves into how multitasking affects performance and compares dual-task costs across open- and closed-skill sports, shedding light on training and talent identification.
Discover how elite athletes manage dual-task demands that combine speed and focus. Learn about the differences in cognitive-motor performance between hockey players and athletes in other sports, and why multitasking is a key to success on the ice.
Main source: Dual-task costs in speed tasks: a comparison between elite ice hockey, open-skill and closed-skill sports athletes
Mark Brinkbäumer, Christian Kupper, Lukas Reichert, Karen Zentgraf
Front Psychol. 2024; 15: 1357312. Published online 2024 Jul 15. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1357312
PMCID: PMC11284104

Explore the effects of wearing surgical face masks on youth hockey performance during intense exercise. This episode examines whether masks impact oxygen levels, heart rate, or skating ability, and the surprising results reveal practical insights for safe play.
Can face masks be worn without affecting performance in youth hockey? This episode dives into a study showing minimal impact on exercise metrics, including muscle oxygenation and power output, providing reassurance for safe mask use in sports.
Main source: Wearing a Surgical Face Mask Has Minimal Effect on Performance and Physiological Measures during High-Intensity Exercise in Youth Ice-Hockey Players: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial
Keely A. Shaw, Scotty Butcher, Jong Bum Ko, Abdi Absher, Julianne Gordon, Cody Tkachuk, Gordon A. Zello, Philip D. Chilibeck
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Oct; 18(20): 10766. Published online 2021 Oct 14. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182010766
PMCID: PMC8535201

This episode explores the psychological effects of concussions on hockey players, focusing on how injuries disrupt and reshape their identity. Learn about the challenges of mental illness, stigma, and the journey toward recovery and reconstruction.
Dive into the interplay between concussions and mental health in hockey. From depression and isolation to biographical reconstruction, this episode uncovers how players navigate the emotional and social impacts of their injuries.
Main source: Understanding the psychiatric effects of concussion on constructed identity in hockey players: Implications for health professionals
Ryan Todd, Shree Bhalerao, Michael T. Vu, Sophie Soklaridis, Michael D. Cusimano
PLoS One. 2018; 13(2): e0192125. Published online 2018 Feb 21. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192125
PMCID: PMC5821444

Explore the physiological and positional demands of professional ice hockey. This episode examines acceleration, deceleration, and heart rate data to uncover how defensemen and forwards manage performance and fatigue during games.
Dive into the science behind professional hockey gameplay. Learn how positional roles and game periods influence acceleration, recovery, and energy demands, revealing new insights into player performance.
Main source: Game Demands of a Professional Ice Hockey Team with Special Emphasis on Fatigue Development and Playing Position
Vincenzo Rago, Adrian Muschinsky, Kasper Deylami, Jeppe F. Vigh-Larsen, Magni Mohr
J Hum Kinet. 2022 Oct; 84: 195–205. Published online 2022 Nov 8. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2022-000078
PMCID: PMC9679183

Explore the epidemiology of injuries in Swiss professional ice hockey players, focusing on traumatic and overuse injury patterns. This episode highlights the prevalence of hip/groin issues, concussions, and the role of game dynamics in player safety.
Dive into a study on injuries in Swiss pro hockey. Learn about the high rates of hip/groin injuries, concussions, and other trauma, along with the challenges of managing overuse injuries during intense competition.
Main source: Epidemiology of Traumatic and Overuse Injuries in Swiss Professional Male Ice Hockey Players
Romana Brunner, Mario Bizzini, Karin Niedermann, Nicola A. Maffiuletti
Orthop J Sports Med. 2020 Oct; 8(10): 2325967120964720. Published online 2020 Oct 19. doi: 10.1177/2325967120964720
PMCID: PMC7592329

This episode explores the relationship between sprinting mechanics, anaerobic capacity, and repeated-sprint ability in adolescent hockey players. Learn how force-velocity profiles differ by gender and how they influence training strategies.
Dive into a study on sprint mechanics and anaerobic performance in youth ice hockey. Discover how force and speed capacities vary between male and female players and their implications for off-season training.
Main source: Exploring associations between sprinting mechanical capabilities, anaerobic capacity, and repeated-sprint ability of adolescent ice hockey players
Julien Glaude-Roy, Philippe Pharand, Jean-François Brunelle, Jean Lemoyne
Front Sports Act Living. 2023; 5: 1258497. Published online 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1258497
PMCID: PMC10788422

Explore the determinants of fast attack performance in elite women’s ice hockey. This episode examines how shooting zones, one-timers, and second-period strategies separate winning teams from losing ones at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Discover how fast attack tactics impact game outcomes in women’s ice hockey. Learn why shooting performance, tactical zones, and effective one-timers are pivotal to offensive success at the highest level of competition.
Main source: Determinants of fast attack performance on match outcome in the elite women’s ice hockey
Naiyuan Tian, Gang Xu
PLoS One. 2024; 19(7): e0306469. Published online 2024 Jul 5. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306469
PMCID: PMC11226076