Episodes

  • Wearables and AI: Transforming Hockey Performance Data
    Feb 24 2025

    Explore how ultra-wideband (UWB) positioning and wearable sensors are revolutionizing ice hockey analytics. This episode covers advanced player tracking, activity recognition, and the integration of machine learning in the game.
    Dive into the future of ice hockey with innovative UWB systems and AI-powered analytics. Learn how stick-mounted sensors and precise player localization provide actionable insights for coaches and players alike.
    Main source: Ultra-Wideband Indoor Positioning and IMU-Based Activity Recognition for Ice Hockey Analytics
    Robbe Vleugels, Ben Van Herbruggen, Jaron Fontaine, Eli De Poorter
    Sensors (Basel) 2021 Jul; 21(14): 4650. Published online 2021 Jul 7. doi: 10.3390/s21144650
    PMCID: PMC8309498

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    14 mins
  • Fatigue Fighter: How Carbohydrate Rinsing Boosts Overtime Play
    Feb 22 2025

    Explore the groundbreaking effects of carbohydrate mouth-rinsing on male ice hockey players. This episode examines how rinsing improves high-intensity skating and sprint performance during overtime periods, offering a new edge for athletes.
    Discover how carbohydrate mouth-rinsing enhances on-ice performance during overtime. Learn about its impact on skating speed, high-intensity distance, and perceived effort, providing a simple but effective tool for hockey players.
    Main source: Carbohydrate Mouth-Rinsing Improves Overtime Physical Performance in Male Ice Hockey Players During On-Ice Scrimmages
    Danielle L. E. Nyman, Alexander S. D. Gamble, Jessica L. Bigg, Logan A. Boyd, Alexander J. Vanderheyden, Lawrence L. Spriet
    Front Nutr. 2022; 9: 792708. Published online 2022 Feb 10. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.792708
    PMCID: PMC8868824

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    16 mins
  • Caffeinated Chewing Gum: Does It Improve On-Ice Performance?
    Feb 21 2025

    Explore the effects of caffeinated chewing gum on elite ice hockey players dealing with jet lag. This episode dives into how caffeine impacts off-ice explosiveness and why it might not translate to on-ice performance.
    Discover how jet lag and caffeine interact in elite hockey. This episode examines the effects of caffeinated gum on off-ice jump height, on-ice agility, and endurance, offering surprising insights for players and coaches.
    Main source: Effects of Caffeinated Chewing Gum on Ice Hockey Performance after Jet Lag Intervention: Double-Blind Crossover Trial
    Ming-Tsang Tsai, Yi-Jie Shiu, Chien-Chang Ho, Che-Hsiu Chen, Chih-Hui Chiu
    Nutrients. 2024 Sep; 16(18): 3151. Published online 2024 Sep 18. doi: 10.3390/nu16183151
    PMCID: PMC11434913

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    13 mins
  • Mental Health in Women’s Hockey: Breaking the Silence
    Feb 19 2025

    This episode explores mental health and well-being among players in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League. Learn about the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep issues, and how psychological flexibility and social support play a critical role in player wellness.
    Dive into a groundbreaking study on mental health in elite women’s ice hockey. From the challenges of dual careers to the impact of injuries, discover the factors influencing mental well-being and the steps needed to foster a healthier sports culture.
    Main source: Skating on thin ice? Mental health and well-being in women’s ice hockey
    Hanna Johansson, Julia S Malmborg, Johan Ekengren, John Lind, Andreas Ivarsson
    BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2023; 9(4): e001746. Published online 2023 Nov 20. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001746
    PMCID: PMC10661067

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    20 mins
  • Training for Agility: Off-Ice to On-Ice Success in Hockey
    Feb 17 2025

    Explore how off-ice agility drills contribute to on-ice skating performance for adolescent hockey players. This episode dives into a groundbreaking study comparing the effectiveness of on-ice and off-ice agility training, offering insights for player development.
    Uncover the science behind agility training for youth hockey players. Learn how combining on-ice and off-ice drills improves reactive agility and weaving performance, and why a hybrid approach is key to success.
    Main source: Off-Ice Agility Provide Motor Transfer to On-Ice Skating Performance and Agility in Adolescent Ice Hockey Players
    Dominik Novák, Patrycja Lipinska, Robert Roczniok, Michal Spieszny, Petr Stastny
    J Sports Sci Med. 2019 Dec; 18(4): 680–694. Published online 2019 Nov 19.
    PMCID: PMC6873137

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    15 mins
  • Comfort or Protection? The Science of Hockey Pads
    Feb 15 2025

    Dive into a study examining how ice hockey upper-body pads impact mobility and comfort. Explore the trade-offs between range of motion, comfort, and safety, and how design improvements could reshape player performance.
    This episode reveals how hockey pads affect player movement during both static and dynamic tasks. Learn about the impact of different designs on comfort and mobility, and what it means for innovation in protective gear.
    Main source: Quantifying the effects of ice hockey upper body pads on mobility and comfort
    Yiwei Wu, Yanfei Shen, Yinsheng Tian, Qi Chen, Lixin Sun
    iScience. 2024 Jan 19; 27(1): 108606. Published online 2023 Nov 30. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108606
    PMCID: PMC10758976

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    13 mins
  • Fueling Young Hockey Stars: Nutrition Insights for Ages 10–13
    Feb 14 2025

    This episode dives into the dietary habits of young male ice hockey players aged 10–13 during an intense hockey camp. Learn how macronutrient intake, hydration, and vitamin D levels impact performance and growth in young athletes.
    Explore the nutritional needs of youth ice hockey players during high-intensity training. This episode covers energy demands, protein intake, and the role of proper hydration for optimal performance and health.
    Main source: Dietary Intake of Young Male Ice Hockey Players 10–13 Years of Age during a Week-Long Hockey Camp
    Tyler F. Vermeulen, Stephanie M. Boville, Alexander S. D. Gamble, Jessica L. Bigg, Devin G. McCarthy, Gregory S. Eskedjian, Lawrence L. Spriet
    Nutrients. 2022 Jul; 14(14): 2978. Published online 2022 Jul 21. doi: 10.3390/nu14142978
    PMCID: PMC9320286

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    14 mins
  • Movement Matters: Posture and Pain in Elite Hockey
    Feb 12 2025

    Discover the link between functional movement patterns, spinal posture, and musculoskeletal pain in elite ice hockey players. Learn how asymmetries and specific movement deficits may influence injury risks and performance.
    This episode explores the impact of posture and functional movement on elite ice hockey athletes. Uncover insights into spinal curvatures, movement asymmetries, and strategies to prevent injuries on and off the ice.
    Main source: Functional Movement Patterns, Spinal Posture and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Elite Ice Hockey Players: A Cross Sectional Study
    Małgorzata Grabara, Anna Bieniec
    J Hum Kinet. 2023 Apr; 87: 59–70. Published online 2023 Apr 20. doi: 10.5114/jhk/161548
    PMCID: PMC10203833

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    14 mins