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.