Fatigue and Positioning: The Demands of Pro Hockey

03/08/25 • 16 min

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

Previous Episode

Hip, Head, and Strain: Injury Risks in Professional Hockey

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

Next Episode

Mental Health and Concussions: Redefining Life After Hockey

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