Affiliations: [a] Department of Statistics and Methodology, Jerzy
Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Poland | [b] Department of Sports Training, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy
of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Poland | [c] Department of Sports Theory, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of
Physical Education, Katowice, Poland | [d] Department of Sport and Tourism Management, Jerzy
Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland | [e] Department of Outdoor Physical Activities, Jerzy
Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Robert Roczniok, Ph.D., Jerzy Kukuczka
Academy of Physical Education, ul. Mikołowska 72a, 40-065 Katowice,
Poland. Tel.: +48 32 207 5139; Fax: +48 32 782 0516; E-mail:
r.roczniok.awf@gmail.com
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationships between physiological and
physical profiles relative to age, together with on-ice performance in order to
assess their impact on the positive result of a recruitment process into an ice
hockey team. OBJECTIVE: A total of 60 boys took part in the selection camps.
After these camps, 22 successful players were selected to be in the ice-hockey
team and create GH2 group. GH1 was a group of hockey players who had dropped
out during the selection camp (38 participants). The control group consisted of
50 participants from secondary schools. METHODS: Data were analysed using the Student t test, one-way
analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tuckey's post-hoc test. Logistic regression
was used to establish the relationship between success at selection camps and
predictor variables. RESULTS: Of the 22 candidates selected to the team, 17 participants
had their birth dates fall within the first six months of the selection year
and positively skewed (p> 0.05). Of the 22 males selected to the team, the
body height of 15 subjects was above 50th percentile and of 2 participants,
above 90th percentile. Body mass of 11 participants was above 50th percentile,
and of 11 subjects, above 90th percentile. Ice hockey players selected to the
team were taller (p< 0.05) than players in GH1 and controls. Controls showed
higher % body fat than groups GH1 and GH2. Controls had a lower level of
relative VO2max (ml·kg^{ - 1} ·min-1) (p<
0.05) than ice hockey players in both groups. Furthermore, controls showed a
lower level of relative peak power (W·kg^{ - 1}) than
hockey players in GH1. Mean relative peak power (W·kg^{ -
1}) in GH1 was lower (p< 0.05) than that of males in GH2 who were
selected for the team. The model indicates that height and relative peak power
may be predictors of a successful selection for the team. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that having a birthday early
in the selection year, concomitant size advantages and a high level of
anaerobic power increases ice hockey players' chance of being selected for an
elite ice hockey team. Therefore, in the future, one should emphasize the
talented yet less physically developed persons so as not to overlook them at
further stages of adolescence.
Keywords: Ice-hockey, talent identification, body composition, anaerobic power, VO[TeX:] _{2max}
