title: Laboratory- and field-based testing as predictors of skating performance in competitive-level female ice hockey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine whether field-based and/or laboratory-based assessments are valid tools for predicting key performance characteristics of skating in competitive-level female hockey players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three female ice hockey players aged 15-25 years (body mass: 66.1±6.3 kg; height: 169.5±5.5 cm), with 10.6±3.2 years playing experience volunteered to participate in the study. The field-based assessments included 20 m sprint, squat jump, countermovement jump, 30-second repeated jump test, standing long jump, single-leg standing long jump, 20 m shuttle run test, isometric leg pull, one-repetition maximum bench press, and one-repetition maximum squats. The laboratory-based assessments included body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), maximal aerobic power, and isokinetic strength (Biodex). The on-ice tests included agility cornering s-turn, cone agility skate, transition agility skate, and modified repeat skate sprint. Data were analyzed using stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis. Linear regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between key performance characteristics of skating and the predictor variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regression models (adj R (2)) for the on-ice variables ranged from 0.244 to 0.663 for the field-based assessments and from 0.136 to 0.420 for the laboratory-based assessments. Single-leg tests were the strongest predictors for key performance characteristics of skating. Single leg standing long jump alone explained 57.1%, 38.1%, and 29.1% of the variance in skating time during transition agility skate, agility cornering s-turn, and modified repeat skate sprint, respectively. Isokinetic peak torque in the quadriceps at 90° explained 42.0% and 32.2% of the variance in skating time during agility cornering s-turn and modified repeat skate sprint, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Field-based assessments, particularly single-leg tests, are an adequate substitute to more expensive and time-consuming laboratory assessments if the purpose is to gain knowledge about key performance characteristics of skating.
authors: Sport Medicine Unit, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation; The National Graduate School of Gender Studies, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors: Tommy
authors: T
authors: Henriksson
authors: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Jason D
authors: JD
authors: Vescovi
authors: Physiotherapy Unit, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors: Anncristine
authors: A
authors: Fjellman-Wiklund
authors: Sport Medicine Unit, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation.
authors: Kajsa
authors: K
authors: Gilenstam
keywords: exercise physiology; physiological characteristics; sport; test methodology