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Abstract

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(1): 552-562, 2021. Ice hockey is prevalent with injuries due to fatigue-related degradation of mechanics occurring throughout a season. The player’s skating position is vital because it can impact muscle activation patterns of the lower extremity. If too much stress is placed on a muscle, it could lead to muscle fatigue and increased likelihood of injury. The purpose of this study was to measure muscle activation patterns and joint angle changes of the lower extremity in ice hockey players during three different simulated skating positions. Electromyography sensors were placed on muscles of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and low back. Additionally, electrogoniometers were placed on the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Players performed 45-second trials on a slide board in three different skating positions: forward lean (FL), shin-torso alignment (STA), and upright (UR). Muscle activation and joint angle differences were recorded and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with a = 0.05. Across the three positions, significant differences (p £ 0.029) were found for muscle activation in the posterior musculature: gluteus maximus and semitendinosus (FL > STA > UR). Vastus lateralis activation was significantly different (p £ 0.035) (UR > STA). Across all positions, a large effect size was found for the vastus lateralis (ɳp2 = 0.214), and a medium effect size was found for the rectus femoris (ɳp2 = 0.061). Significant differences (p ≤ 0.003) were present for hip flexion, hip extension, and ankle plantar flexion angles across trials. Greater posterior muscle activation was present during FL, and UR exhibited more anterior muscle activation. Muscle activation was more evenly distributed during STA and could result in a reduction of fatigue-related injuries.

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