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Impact of hockey skate design on ankle motion and force production

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Abstract

Dynamic forces and range of motion (ROM) were measured during on-ice skating using a standard hockey skate and a modified skate (MS) with an altered tendon guard and eyelet configuration. The objective of this study was to determine if these modifications resulted in biomechanical and performance changes during on-ice skating skills. The right skate of each type was instrumented with a calibrated strain gauge force transducer system to measure medial–lateral and vertical forces during ice skating. In addition, a goniometer was placed about the ankle and rear foot to measure ROM during skating. Ten subjects executed three skills: forward skating, crossovers inside foot and crossovers outside foot. The MS demonstrated significant gains of 5°–9° in dorsi-plantarflexion ROM (p < 0.05). Total peak force occurred later during plantarflexion, suggesting a more prolonged and effective force generation with the MS during a given skating stride. A 14–20 % increase (p > 0.05) in mean work and power output was noted with the MS, although no improved times were observed during the skating skills. Potentially, some players may need a period of familiarization to take advantage of the design alterations of the MS.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Bauer Hockey Corp. and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for their financial support of this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ice Hockey Research Group, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, 475 Pine avenue West, Room 400, Montreal, QC, H2W 1S4, Canada

    Xavier Robert-Lachaine, René A. Turcotte, Philippe C. Dixon & David J. Pearsall

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  1. Xavier Robert-Lachaine
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  2. René A. Turcotte
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  3. Philippe C. Dixon
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  4. David J. Pearsall
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Correspondence to Xavier Robert-Lachaine.

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Robert-Lachaine, X., Turcotte, R.A., Dixon, P.C. et al. Impact of hockey skate design on ankle motion and force production. Sports Eng 15, 197–206 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-012-0103-x

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