Optimizing Athlete Training Load and Recovery Monitoring in Hockey

Abstract

When implemented correctly, athlete monitoring can be used to elevate performance, decrease injuries, and improve wellbeing in athletes at all levels. The demands of hockey are distinct from other intermittent ball sports, and monitoring is currently limited in that the metrics monitored have not been optimized for use in hockey. Therefore, this research program aimed to produce an evidence-based model for athlete monitoring in hockey, with four subsequent objectives addressed via four distinct studies on various components of monitoring: internal training load, external training load and recovery. The match-demands of hockey competition were first evaluated, via a systematic review and metanalysis, and elite female and male athletes were found to cover 5029 ± 424 m and 6027 ± 536 m in competition, respectively, with an average workrate of 115 ± 8 m·min-1 and 125 ± 8 m·min-1. To evaluate the validity of recovery monitoring measures, the relationship between training load and recovery was evaluated. Countermovement jump height was shown to have no substantial association with training load (r = -0.06, -0.09, p = 0.506- 0.568), but the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes general and sports stress subscales were responsive to changes in load (r = 0.47 – 0.57, p = 0.006 – 0.030). External training load was evaluated via the validity and reliability of Catapult S7 Global Navigation Satellite System units, which were shown to have a small mean negative bias of 2.8%, with good reliability (%SEE: 0.98%). Finally, a new pitch-based testing protocol and algorithm were developed for the calculation of internal training load (piTRIMP2), which outperformed existing metrics, explaining 84% of the variability in athlete fitness over a hockey season. The results of these studies were used to develop a novel evidence-based model for athlete monitoring in hockey which provides a framework for implementing athlete monitoring systems across hockey populations.