Positional differences in the kinanthropometric and physiological characteristics of elite british ice-hockey players

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the kinathropometric characteristics of elite ice-hockey players. Eighteen ice-hockey players from the British 'Elite Hockey League' 2004-05 season's, title winning squad (mean age ± S.D. = 25.1 ± 4.2 years) were assessed on a number of physiological and anthropometric variables. Somatotype was assessed using the Heath-Carter method, body composition (% body fat) was assessed using surface anthropometry, Leg strength was assessed using a leg and back dynamometer and low back and hamstring flexibility was assessed using the modified sit and reach test. Results indicated that defencemen were more endomorphic (p<0.01), more mesomorphic, had greater body mass and higher percent body fat than forwards (all p<0.05). Mean ± S.D. of somatotype (endo, meso, ecto) for defencemen and forwards was 2.9 ± 0.6, 6.2 ± 0.8 and 1.6 ± 0.7 and 2.2 ± 0.5, 5.3 ± 0.8 and 2.2 ± 0.7 respectively. Mean ± S.D. for body mass and percent fatness was 90.5 ± 8.5kg and 16.8 ± 2.7% for defencemen and 79.6 ± 9.5kg and 13.9 ± 2.8% for forwards. There were no other significant differences in physiological and anthropometric variables across playing positions (all p>0.05). Overall, defencemen tend to be endomorphic mesomorphs, whereas forwards tend to be balanced mesomorphs. These results indicate the need for sports scientists and conditioning professionals to take the kinathropometric characteristics of ice-hockey players into account when designing individualised position specific training programmes.