Anaerobic performance in 30s Wingate test as one of the possible criteria for selection Czech hockey players into National Hockey League

Introduction: The selection into the National Hockey League (NHL) is based on criteria reflecting job analysis of a professional ice hockey player and the requirements of the game. Only few Czech elite ice hockey players succeed to participate in NHL and their number is decreasing in the last decade. Aim of Study: The aim of the study was to find out and evaluate the level of anaerobic readiness of Czech hockey forwards and defenders playing in the NHL and to compare their anaerobic performance with that in elite national hockey players from the Czech extra-league. Material and Methods: Results of 30s Wingate anaerobic test obtained in 26 forwards and 16 defenders, Czech hockey players from the NHL (from 2001/2002 to 2015/2016 seasons) were compared with the reference values of elite Czech ice hockey players. The comparison was based on the mean values, rate of dispersion, and effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d coefficient. Results: In forwards, both absolute and relative values of peak power (PP) and anaerobic capacity (AnC) found in Czech players in NHL were higher (d>1) than in elite Czech national players. In defenders, only the value of AnC relative to body mass showed small effect (d=0.36), but absolute and relative values of PP and absolute value of AnC were higher (d>1) than in elite Czech national players. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that anaerobic readiness evaluated by 30s Wingate test may be, besides dominant on-ice skills, one of the criteria for entry to the top ice hockey competition.