Game demands of a professional ice hockey team with special emphasis on fatigue development and a playing position

The aim of this study was to describe the game activity profile of a professional ice hockey team with
special emphasis on fatigue development and playing position. Data were collected using a wearable 200-Hz
accelerometric system and heart rate (HR) throughout eight official games in a professional ice hockey team
(6 defensemen and 11 forwards; n = 122 files). On-ice 10- and 30-m sprint performance, repeated sprint ability
and HR responses to the submaximal Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery level 1 test were assessed. Although the 3 rd
period was largely longer than the 1 st and 2 nd periods (r = 0.56–0.59), no differences were observed between
periods in the activity pattern, except a moderate decline in the number of decelerations >2 m·s-2 per min
(Dec2/min) in the 2nd period for forwards (r = 0.06–0.60). Defenders performed more Dec2/min than forwards
in all periods, whereas forwards spent more time above 85%HR max (t85HR) during the 2 nd period (r = 0.46–
0.57). Time spent on ice was inversely correlated with the total number of accelerations (Acctot ), accelerations
>2 m·s -2 per min (Acc2/min), total decelerations per min (Dectot /min), Dec2/min and t85HR (r = -0.63 to -0.18)
and positively correlated with mean HR and peak HR (r = 0.20–0.53). No significant correlations were found
between physical fitness and game activity variables scaled by individual time on ice. Absolute acceleration
and HR demand of professional ice hockey seem to differ between playing positions, albeit similar in relation
to time on ice. However, no clear signs of fatigue were captured, possibly due to the longer duration of rest
intervals in the 3rd period.