Biomechanics of forward skating in ice hockey

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to conduct a biomechanical analysis of hockey players skating at top speed in a direct line. Fourteen subjects from four different levels of ice hockey competition were chosen for this experiment. The stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that width of the stride and total recovery time of the skate blade were the most important factors to account for the variance in velocity. The stepwise multiple discriminant analysis also revealed that width of the stride and total recovery time of the skate blade were the most discriminating factors between fast and slow skaters. ·These results showed that observable and measurable variables accounted for the various velocities even though it might be necessary in a further study to provide more accurate measurements of angles through the. use of three-dimensional film and elgons.