The Applied Use of Wearable Technology in Elite Female Ice Hockey

Introduction: The use of wearable technology is increasing in the world of elite sport. The incorporation of evidence-based approaches to training has become a critical component in many competitive sports, including ice hockey. Despite its global popularity, ice hockey remains a neglected area of applied sport science research. Objective: (1) To investigate the applied use of wearable technology in world-class female ice hockey; (2) build a strong foundation of applied literature using elite female subjects in an under-researched sport; and (3) provide information to sports science practitioners and coaches to better inform the preparation of athletes. Methods: This study involved retrospective, secondary data analysis of four years of on-ice training and competition sessions from Hockey Canadas National Womens Team. Chapter three (Manuscript One) focuses on one full season of data and compares forwards and defensive players in various measures of internal and external load. Chapter four (Manuscript Two) uses data from one pre-season to investigate the differences in on-ice external load between sub-elite and elite female athletes. Chapter five (Manuscript Three) uses competition data to determine the differences in external load measures based on match outcome. Results: The first major finding was that there were differences in both internal and external load measures between training and competition. Forwards had both higher volumes and intensities than defense in both training and competition. Furthering our understanding of the on-ice demands of training and competition, it was found that apparent differences exist between sub-elite and elite athletes in measures of external load. Elite ice hockey players had significantly higher measures for intensity-based measures of external load. The importance of on-ice intensity was additionally supported by examining external load measures in relation to match outcome.
Conclusions: This is the first study that investigated the use of wearable technology in elite female ice hockey. This data provides a solid groundwork for the continued pursuit of applied sports science in ice hockey. Each of the studies contributes to the existing evidence of athlete monitoring and athlete preparation using wearable technology and the study of elite female athletes.