title: Three-dimensional kinematics of the lower limbs during forward ice hockey skating.
abstract: The objectives of the study were to describe lower limb kinematics in three dimensions during the forward skating stride in hockey players and to contrast skating techniques between low- and high-calibre skaters. Participant motions were recorded with four synchronized digital video cameras while wearing reflective marker triads on the thighs, shanks, and skates. Participants skated on a specialized treadmill with a polyethylene slat bed at a self-selected speed for 1 min. Each participant completed three 1-min skating trials separated by 5 min of rest. Joint and limb segment angles were calculated within the local (anatomical) and global reference planes. Similar gross movement patterns and stride rates were observed; however, high-calibre participants showed a greater range and rate of joint motion in both the sagittal and frontal planes, contributing to greater stride length for high-calibre players. Furthermore, consequent postural differences led to greater lateral excursion during the power stroke in high-calibre skaters. In conclusion, specific kinematic differences in both joint and limb segment angle movement patterns were observed between low- and high-calibre skaters.
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 5tru@glink.queensu.ca
authors.forename: Tegan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Upjohn
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Turcotte
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pearsall
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Loh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012861:Skating / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis