Aerobic Capacity Is Associated With Improved Repeated Shift Performance in Hockey

ABSTRACTPeterson, BJ, Fitzgerald, JS, Dietz, CC, Ziegler, KS, Ingraham, SJ, Baker, SE, and Snyder, EM. Aerobic capacity is associated with improved repeated shift performance in hockey. J Strength Cond Res 29(6)1465–1472, 2015—Current research has found conflicting results regarding the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)) and the repeated sprint ability (RSA) of hockey players. The purpose of this study was to use sport-specific testing methods to investigate this relationship. Forty-five (range, 18–24) college hockey players completed a graded exercise test on a skating treadmill to ascertain their (Equation is included in full-text article.). An on-ice repeated shift test was then conducted to evaluate each playerʼs susceptibility to fatigue. First gate, second gate, and total test times were collected on the course and then used to calculate associated decrement scores. Second gate decrement was significantly correlated to (Equation is included in full-text article.)(r = −0.31, p = 0.04). Final stage completed during the graded exercise test was also significantly correlated to second gate and total decrement (r = −0.46, p = 0.001; r = −0.32, p = 0.03). No significant correlation was found between either first gate or total decrement score and (Equation is included in full-text article.)(r = −0.11, p = 0.46; r = −0.17, p = 0.26). The results of this study indicate that RSA is associated with (Equation is included in full-text article.)and final stage completed when using sport-specific testing methods.