Recep Gursoy, Eser Aggon, Robert Stephens, Mehmet Akif Ziyagil

Show more
The Department of Physical Education and Sports, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
Department of Physical Education and Sports, Erzincan University, Erzincan, Turkey.
The Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Ohio, USA.
The Department of Physical Education and Sports, Amasya University, Amasya, Turkey.
Show less

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the physical and bio motor characteristics of male and female Turkish ice hockey players. Structural and functional differences depending on the gender were investigated. Altogether, 17 male and 20 female athletes from the city of Erzurum voluntarily participated in the study. The physical measurements of each player were recorded and then isometric strength, reaction time and flexibility were measured. Statistically, t-test analysis was independently used to compare the two groups. The results of the study showed the average weight and height of male athletes were higher than those of females, despite the fact that was lower. The average isometric leg, back and handgrip strength of male athletes were also significantly higher than those of females (p < 0.01). In the sit and reach test, females were better than those males (p < 0.01), while average body flexibility measurements of males are statistically higher than those of females (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups in vertical jump measurements. The average anaerobic capacity of males was significantly higher than those of females (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the average hand reaction time between two groups. Regular measurement of physical and functional characteristics of athletes is important not only in the talent identification of athletes but also in the understanding the gender related structural and functional differences as well as in the regulation of training programs.

Keywords: Sports Performance; Ice Hockey; Physical Characteristics

Cite this paper: Gursoy, R. , Aggon, E. , Stephens, R. & Ziyagil, M. (2012). Comparison of the Physical and Biomotor Characteristics, and Reaction Time between Turkish Male and Female Ice Hockey Players. Advances in Physical Education, 2, 169-171. doi: 10.4236/ape.2012.24029.

References

[1]   Bar-Or, O. (1987). The Wingate anaerobic test: An update on methodology, reliability and validity. Sports Medicine, 4, 381-394.

[2]   Baumgartner, T., & Jackson, A. S. (1987). Measurement for evaluation in physical education and exercise science. Dubuque, IA: W. M. C. Brown. doi:10.1097/00005768-199605001-00324

[3]   Bracko, M. R., Hall, L. T., Fisher, A. G., Fellingham, G. W., & Cryer, W. (1998). Performance skating characteristics of professional ice hockey forwards. Sports Medicine Training and Rehabilitation, 8, 251-263. doi:10.1080/15438629809512531

[4]   Bracko, M. R. (2001). On performance characteristics of elite and non-elite female ice hockey players. The journal of strength & conditioning research, 1, 42- 47.

[5]   Bracko, M. R., & Fellingham, G. W. (2001). Comparison of physical performance characteristics of female and male ice hockey players. Pediatric Exercise Science, 13, 26-34.

[6]   Bracko, M. R., & George, J. D. (2001). Prediction of ice skating performance with off-ice in women’s ice hockey players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 15, 116-122.

[7]   Burr, J. F, Jamnik, R. K., Baker, J., Macpherson, A., Gledhill, N., & Mcguire, E. J. (2008). Relationship of physical fitness test results and hockey playing potential in elite-level ice hockey players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 22, 1535-1543. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e318181ac20

[8]   Dane, S., & Erzurumluoglu, A. (2003). Sex and handedness differences in eye-hand visual reaction times in handball players. International Journal of Neuroscience, 113, 923-929. doi:10.1080/00207450390220367

[9]   Green, H. (2003). Personal communication, Janaury 17 by Michael R. Bracko.

[10]   Hansen, H., & Reed, A. (1979). Functions and on-ice competencies of a high caliber hockey player—A job analysis. In J. Terauds, & H. J. Gros (Eds.), Science in skiing, skating, and hockey (pp. 107-115). Del Mar, CA: Academic Publishers.

[11]   Kabakci, A. C. (2009). The differences in reaction times of elite football, handball and ice hockey goal keepers. Ph.D. Thesis, Ankara: Gazi University.

[12]   Marino, G. W. (1979). Acceleration-time relationships in an ice skating start. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport, 50, 55-59.

[13]   Mascaro, T., Seaver, B. L., & Swanson, L. (1992). Prediction of skating speed with off-ice testing in professional hockey players. Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 10, 92-98.

[14]   Mcfaull, S. (2001). Contact injuries in minor hockey: A review of the Chirpp database for the 1998/1999 hockey season. The Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Preventing Program News, 19, 1-9.

[15]   Montegomerty, D. L. (1998). Physiology of ice hockey. Sports Medicine, 5, 99-126. doi:10.2165/00007256-198805020-00003

[16]   Noonan, B. C. (2010). Intragame blood-lactate values during ice hockey and their relationships to commonly used hockey testing protocols. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 24, 2290-2295. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e99c4a

[17]   Sapega, A., & Nicholas, J. A. (1982). Clinical use of musculoskeletal profiling in orthopedic sports medicine. The Physician and Sports Medicine, 9, 80-88.

[18]   Sim, F. H., & Chao, E. Y. (1978). Injury potential in modern ice hockey. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 6, 378-384. doi:10.1177/036354657800600612

[19]   Ransdell, L. B., & Murray, T. A. (2011). Physical profile of elite female ice hockey players from the USA. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 25, 2358-2363. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e31822a5440

[20]   Vescovi, J. D., Murray, T. M., & Van Heest, J. L. (2006). Positional performance profiling of elite ice hockey players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 1, 84-94.

[21]   Watson, R. C., & Sargeant, T. L. C. (1986). Laboratory and on-ice test comparisons of anaerobic power of ice hockey players. Canadian Journal of Applied Sciences, 11, 218-224.