Alex Game

A 26 year physiological description of a National Hockey League team.

The primary purpose of this investigation was to examine the physiological profile of a National Hockey League (NHL) team over a period of 26 years. All measurements were made at a similar time of year (pre-season) in 703 male (mean age +/- SD = 24 +/- 4 y) hockey players. The data were analyzed across years, between positions (defensemen, forwards, and goaltenders), and between what were deemed successful and non-successful years using a combination of points acquired during the season and play-off success. Most anthropometric (height, mass, and BMI) and physiological parameters (absolute and relative VO2 peak, relative peak 5 s power output, abdominal endurance, and combined grip strength) showed a gradual increase over the 26 year period. Defensemen were taller and heavier, had higher absolute VO2 peak, and had greater combined grip strength than forwards and goaltenders. Forwards were younger and had higher values for relative VO2 peak. Goaltenders were shorter, had less body mass, a higher sum of skinfolds, lower VO2 peak, and better flexibility. The overall pre-season fitness profile was not related to team success. In conclusion, this study revealed that the fitness profile for a professional NHL ice-hockey team exhibited increases in player size and anaerobic and aerobic fitness parameters over a 26 year period that differed by position. However, this evolution of physiological profile did not necessarily translate into team success in this particular NHL franchise.

The Effect of Inspiratory and Expiratory Respiratory Muscle Training in Rowers

This study examined inspiratory and expiratory resistive loading combined with strength and endurance training on pulmonary function and rowing performance. Twenty-one male (n = 9) and female (n = 12) rowers were matched on 2000 m simulated rowing race time and gender and randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group trained respiratory muscles using a device that provided both an inspiratory and expiratory resistance while the control group used a SHAM device. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) or SHAM was performed 6 d/wk concurrent with strength (3 d/wk) and endurance (3 d/wk) training on alternate days for 10 weeks. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) enhanced maximum inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory (PEmax) strength at rest and during recovery from exercise (P < 0.05). Both groups showed improvements in peak VO2, strength, and 2000 m performance time (P < 0.05). It was concluded that RMT is effective for improving respiratory strength but did not facilitate greater improvements to simulated 2000 m rowing performance.

The development and reliability of a repeated anaerobic cycling test in female ice hockey players.

Wilson, K, Snydmiller, G, Game, A, Quinney, A, and Bell, G. The development and reliability of a repeated anaerobic cycling test in female ice hockey players. J Strength Cond Res 24(2): 580-584, 2010-The purpose of this study was to develop and assess the reliability of a repeated anaerobic power cycling test designed to mimic the repeated sprinting nature of the sport of ice hockey. Nineteen female varsity ice hockey players (&OV0335; ± SD age, height and body mass = 21 ± 2 yr, 166.6 ± 6.3 cm and 62.3 ± 7.3) completed 3 trials of a repeated anaerobic power test on a Monark cycle ergometer on different days. The test consisted of “all-out” cycling for 5 seconds separated by 10 seconds of low-intensity cycling, repeated 4 times. The relative load factor used for the resistance setting was equal to 0.095 kg per kilogram body mass. There was no significant difference between the peak 5-second power output (PO), mean PO, or the fatigue index (%) among the 3 different trials. The peak 5-second PO was 702.6 ± 114.8 w and 11.3 ± 1.1 w × kg−1, whereas the mean PO across the 4 repeats was 647.1 ± 96.3 w and 10.4 ± 1.0 w × kg−1 averaged for the 3 different tests. The fatigue index averaged 17.8 ± 6.5%. The intraclass correlation coefficient for peak 5-second, mean PO, and fatigue index was 0.82, 0.86, and 0.82, respectively. This study reports the methodology of a repeated anaerobic power cycling test that was reliable for the measurement of PO and calculated fatigue index in varsity women ice hockey players and can be used as a laboratory-based assessment of repeated anaerobic fitness.

Physiological demands of women’s rugby union: time–motion analysis and heart rate response

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the physical demands of women’s rugby union match play using time–motion analysis and heart rate (HR) response. Thirty-eight premier club level female rugby players, ages 18–34 years were videotaped and HRs monitored for a full match. Performances were coded into 12 different movement categories: 5 speeds of locomotion (standing, walking, jogging, striding, sprinting), 4 forms of intensive non-running exertion (ruck/maul/tackle, pack down, scrum, lift) and 3 discrete activities (kick, jump, open field tackle). The main results revealed that backs spend significantly more time sprinting and walking whereas forwards spend more time in intensive non-running exertion and jogging. Forwards also had a significantly higher total work frequency compared to the backs, but a higher total rest frequency compared to the backs. In terms of HR responses, forwards displayed higher mean HRs throughout the match and more time above 80% of their maximum HR than backs. In summary, women’s rugby union is characterised by intermittent bursts of high-intensity activity, where forwards and backs have similar anaerobic energy demands, but different specific match demands.

Effect of Different Bicycle Body Positions on Power Output in Aerobically Trained Females

Aerodynamic bicycle positioning reduces drag but also reduces power output (PO) in males. The effect of aerodynamic bicycle positioning in trained endurance females is unknown. Eighteen females participants (VO2max 49.7 ± 6.3 ml·kg−1·min−1) all with competitive experience performed cycling trials at ventilatory threshold 1 and 2 (VT-1, VT-2) in both an aerodynamic and an upright position. There was a significant difference in PO between the aerodynamic and upright positions at VT-1 (152.7 ± 28.0 Watts and 159.7 ± 33.1 Watts, respectively) but not at VT-2 (191.2 ± 39.1 Watts and 192.4 ± 40.0 Watts, respectively). There were no significant differences in heart rate, oxygen consumption, or cadence between positions at either intensity. At both intensities the individual response was varied and no trends due to years of experience or background (triathlete or cyclist) explained this variability. Therefore, despite the significant mean difference in PO at VT-1, these results indicate that in trained females the effect of aerodynamic positioning is individual.

Incidence of Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm and Exercise-Induced Hypoxaemia in Female Varsity Hockey Players

Received 1 October 2002; accepted 17 December 2002. This project was supported by the Sports Science Association of Alberta through the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks, and Wildlife Foundation. We would like to thank Dr. Lynne Sigler and Sean Abbot from the University of Alberta Microfungus Hervarium and Collection Department and Environmental Health and Safety for the use of the gas analysis system. We also would like to thank the University of Alberta Pandas Hockey Team. Address correspondence to Alex Game, E488 Van Vliet Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2H9. E-mail: alex.game@ualberta.ca Incidence of Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm and Exercise-Induced Hypoxaemia in Female Varsity Hockey Players

Inspiratory and Expiratory Respiratory Muscle Training as an Adjunct to Concurrent Strength and Endurance Training Provides No Additional 2000 m Performance Benefits to Rowers

The purpose of this study was to examine respiratory muscle training (RMT) combined with 9 weeks of resistance and endurance training on rowing performance and cardiopulmonary responses. Twenty-seven rowers (mean ± SD: age = 27 ± 9 years; height = 176.9 ± 10.8 cm; and body mass = 76.1 ± 12.6 kg) were randomly assigned to an inspiratory only (n = 13) or expiratory only (n = 14) training group. Both RMT programs were 3 sets of 10 reps, 6 d/wk in addition to an identical 3 d/wk resistance and 3 d/wk endurance training program. Both groups showed similar improvements in 2000 m rowing performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, and maximum inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory (PEmax) pressures (p < .05). It was concluded that there were no additional benefits of 9 weeks of inspiratory or expiratory RMT on simulated 2000 m rowing performance or cardiopulmonary responses when combined with resistance and endurance training in rowers.