Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of skate blade radius of
hollow (ROH) on anaerobic performance, specifically during the acceleration and
stopping phases of an on-ice skating test. Fifteen, male Junior B hockey players (mean
age 19 y ± 1.46) were recruited to participate. On-icc testing required each participant to
complete an on-ice anaerobic performance test [Reed Repeat Skate (RRS)) on three
separate days. During each on-ice test, the participant's skate blades were sharpened to
one of three, randomly assigned, ROH values (0.63 cm, 1.27 cm, 1.90 cm). Performance
times were recorded during each RRS and used to calculate anaerobic variables
[anaerobic power (W), anaerobic capacity (W), and fatigue index (s, %)). Each RRS was
video recorded for the purpose of motion analysis. Video footage was imported into Peak
Motus™ to measure kinematic variables of the acceleration and stopping phases. The
specific variables calculated from the acceleration phase were: average velocity over 6 m
(m/s), average stride length (m), and mean stride rate (strides/s). The specific variables
calculated from the stopping phase were: velocity at initiation of stopping (rn/s), stopping
distance (m), stopping time (s). A repeated measures ANOV A was used to assess
differences in mean performance and kinematic variables across the three selected
hollows. Further analysis was conducted to assess differences in trial by trial performance
and kinematic variables for all hollows. The primary findings of the study suggested that
skate blade ROH can have a significant effect on kinematic variables, namely stride
length and stride rate during the acceleration phase and stopping distance and stopping
time during the stopping phase of an on-ice anaerobic performance test. During the
acceleration phase, no significant difdifferences were found in SR and SL across the three selected hollows. Mean SR on the
1.27 cm hollow was significantly slower than both the 0.63 cm and 1.90 cm hollows and
SL was significantly longer when skating on the 1.27 cm hollow in comparison to the
1.90 cm hollow. During the stopping phase, stopping distance on the 0.63 cm hollow
(4.12 m ± 0.14) was significantly shorter than both the 1.27 cm hollow (4.43 m ± 0.08) (p
< 0.05) and the 1.90 cm ho])ow (4.35 m ± 0.12) (p < 0.05). Mean ST was also
significantly shorter when stopping on the 0.63 cm hollow then both the 1.27 cm and 1.90
cm hollows. Trial by trial results clearly illustrated the affect of fatigue on kinematic
variables; AV, SR, IV decreased from trial 1 to 6. There was no significant effect on
anaerobic performance variables during the RRS. Altering the skate blade ROH has a
significant and practical affect on accelerating and stopping performance will be
discussed in this paper.
