Relationship between physical fitness and skill and game performance of Japanese college male ice hockey players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between physical fitness and game performance in Japanese college male ice hockey players based on the results of off-ice testing, on-ice testing, and game analysis. In addition to a general physical fitness test on land, the 30 m sprint skating time and shooting speed were measured on the ice. A correlation analysis was performed between the results of the physical fitness test and the results of the game analysis. Players with better upper body strength, such as grip and back strength, can shoot at higher speeds. Players who were able to shoot at a higher speed had more time in the game, shot more frequently, and were more involved in scoring goals. Players who performed well in the sidestep test were those who played longer in the match. Players with better vertical jump records and 30 m sprint times on land were able to skate at higher velocities, and those with better 30 m backward sprint skating times spent more time on high-intensity skating during the game. Within the teams in this study, players with superior 20-meter shuttle run records tended to be involved in relatively more points during the game. The results of this study suggest that players with superior off-ice test results are also superior in ice hockey-specific skills as assessed by on-ice testing, resulting in higher performance in games.