The Role Fitness Testing Plays in Team Selection of Elite Female Ice Hockey Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the role off-ice testing plays in team selection of elite female ice hockey athletes. The odds of being selected to the team were significantly higher for age (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.19-1.35), height (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02-1.10), fat percentage (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86-0.96), estimated maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) from 20m shuttle run (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.03-1.19), bench press (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.06-1.34), chin-ups (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.08-1.22), squat vertical jump (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.61-4.28), countermovement vertical jump (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.47-3.70), drop jump (OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.53-3.97). The results of this analysis suggest that improvements in aerobic fitness, upper body strength, lower body power will increase a player’s odds of being selected for the team.