THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HORIZONTAL FORCE-VELOCITY PROFILE AND VERTICAL STRENGTH IN FEMALE ICE HOCKEY PLAYERS

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the horizontal force-velocity (HFV) profiles of female collegiate ice hockey players and compare these to metrics of muscular strength. The secondary purpose of this study was to categorize strength metrics using reduction analyses to improve the interpretation and application of these results and that of future studies. Thirteen female ice hockey players (body mass = 66.7±18.0 kg; height = 171.6±6.2 cm) completed three 50-meter on-ice sprints. Instantaneous velocity was measured using a radar gun in which participant HFV profile metrics (maximal velocity, tau, force-velocity slope, maximum theoretical force, ratio decrease force) were derived. Forty-eight hours later, participants completed four strength tests (drop jump, countermovement jump, loaded countermovement jump, and isometric squat) measured using a dual force plate resulting in 64 metrics of strength. A stepwise regression was employed to assess the associations between strength and HFV profile metrics. All strength metrics were entered into a principal component analysis (PCA) to support the interpretation of the results. There were no significant associations between strength and HFV profile metrics. The PCA identified four clusters of strength metrics that were considered distinct strength properties in this population. This study presents a robust method for evaluating skating HFV profiles and strength metrics in ice hockey players and should be used in future studies to contribute to this body of literature.