Fit Performance and Responsiveness of Ice Hockey Goaltender Leg Pads

Abstract

Ice hockey goaltenders wear large leg pads that protect them and allow them to adopt common save positions like the butterfly. Leg pad models use different constructions to make pads stiff or flexible. The purpose of this project was to compare fit, responsiveness and performance between three leg pad conditions during the butterfly save movement. Three leg pad conditions were used: stiff pad with elastic toe strap, stiff pad with lace toe strap and flexible pad with lace toe strap. Leg pad conditions tested similarly in anterior-posterior fit, responsiveness, and performance. There were moderate superior-inferior fit effects between the flexible and stiff leg pad conditions with goaltenders landing slightly lower on the knee stack in the stiff leg pad conditions. Participants were observed to land on the inferior 25% of the knee stack in all leg pad conditions indicating that there may be a need to improve leg pad fit.