Explore the connection between early hockey specialization and long-term hip and groin dysfunction. Learn why diversifying early athletic experiences might be key to sustainable success.
This episode dives into the risks of early sport specialization in ice hockey, exploring how year-round training impacts hip and groin health. Discover insights from collegiate athletes and expert findings.
Main source: Early Sport Specialization and Subjective Hip and Groin Dysfunction in Collegiate Ice Hockey Athletes
Marisa Sheppard, Jim Nicknair, John Goetschius
J Athl Train. 2020 Mar; 55(3): 232–237. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0375-19
PMCID: PMC7093925

The world of professional sports is incredibly competitive, but did you know your birth month could impact your chances of success? This phenomenon, called the Relative Age Effect, is especially prevalent in hockey. Join us as we explore how this bias favors early-born players in junior leagues, but intriguingly, seems to reverse in the NHL, where late bloomers often outperform their older counterparts. We'll examine cutting-edge data analytics that reveal this fascinating trend and discuss its implications for player development and talent identification.
Highlights:
● The concept of the Relative Age Effect and its presence in hockey
● The surprising reversal of the effect in the NHL
● The use of data analytics in the study
● The relevance for player development and talent identification
Main source: The Relative Age Effect in Ice Hockey: Analysis of Its Presence, Its Fading and of a Reversal Effect among Junior and Professional Leagues
Jean Lemoyne, François Trudeau, Simon Grondin
J Hum Kinet. 2023 Apr; 87: 119–131. Published online 2023 Apr 20. doi: 10.5114/jhk/161573
PMCID: PMC10203842

This episode explores the complex relationship between off-ice and on-ice fitness tests and actual game performance in hockey. Examining a scoping review of scientific literature, we uncover which physical attributes are most frequently tested and discuss the predictive power of these tests for identifying talent and measuring in-game success. We also analyze research gaps in the field, highlighting areas like women's hockey, youth development and the use of advanced analytics for a more comprehensive understanding of performance. Tune in to learn how fitness testing is evolving to bridge the gap between the training ground and the rink.
Main source: Associations between Testing and Game Performance in Ice Hockey: A Scoping Review
Vincent Huard Pelletier, Julien Glaude-Roy, André-Philipe Daigle, Jean-François Brunelle, Antoine Bissonnette, Jean Lemoyne
Sports (Basel) 2021 Sep; 9(9): 117. Published online 2021 Aug 26. doi: 10.3390/sports9090117
PMCID: PMC8473052