improvements in aerobic ability and skating
speed and acceleration observed (Hollering &
Simpson 1977; Hutchinson et al. 1979; Greer et al.
1992). However, addition of a low-intensity
(ª74%V
.
o2max.) cycling exercise to a hockey train-
ing programme did not cause any changes in
aerobic ability (Daub et al. 1983).
Nutrition practices
Very little literature is available concerning the
nutrition practices of ice hockey players. One 7-
day diet survey of seven players reported that
they consumed per day: 2.8 servings of meat or
equivalent, 2.3 servings of milk or equivalent, 1.6
servings of vegetables, 1.2 servings of fruit, 4.6
servings of grain, 2.1 servings of soft drinks and
sweets, and 3.0 servings of alcohol (Houston
1979). Breads, pasta and crackers made up the
primary grain consumed, while french fries
comprised about half of the vegetable servings.
Approximately 2.4 meals per day were con-
sumed by the ice hockey players, with almost
half (45%) of the meals consumed away from
home. Finally, breakfast was skipped 67% of the
time by the players.
Two potential limitations to ice hockey perfor-
mance are those imposed by energy metabolism
and disturbances in temperature regulation. Due
to the nature of the game, very high intensity
exercise is performed for a short period of time
and repeated many times during a game. The
result for the ice hockey player is great utilization
of muscle glycogen, elevated levels of blood
lactate concentration, and slow recovery from
the metabolic acidosis due to the sedentary
nature of the brief recovery period. In an attempt
to enhance performance by enhancing muscle
glycogen levels, ice hockey players consumed
360 g of supplemental carbohydrate for 3 days
prior to a championship series and obtained
muscle glycogen levels twice as high as those of
players who did not consume the supplement
(Rehunen & Liitsola 1978). As suggested with the
speed skaters, regular consumption of a high-
carbohydrate supplement may be necessary to
652 sport-specific nutrition
ensure normal muscle glycogen levels in ice
hockey players.
Due to the high-intensity exercise performed
and the protective clothing worn by ice hockey
players, they can lose 2–3 kg of body weight
during a game despite ad libitumfluid intake
(Green et al. 1978; MacDougall 1979). Some
things can be done to reduce the protective cloth-
ing, such as removing the helmet and gloves
when not playing, but greater consumption of
fluids is probably also necessary to ensure proper
hydration of the ice hockey players.
As the ice hockey season is long and the games
and practice sessions relatively strenuous,
proper nutrient intake is important. Similar to
the recommendations for speed skaters, ice
hockey players need to consume large amounts
of carbohydrate (ª60% of total energy intake)
and protein (ª1.6 g · kg–1body weight) to ensure
replenishment of muscle and liver glycogen
stores and strength maintenance/development.
Likewise, fluid intake before, during and after a
game should be encouraged to reduce the loss of
body fluids.Figure skating
The sport of figure skating has four very different
events which are performed by different groups
of athletes: men’s singles (Olympic sport since
1908), women’s singles (Olympic sport since
1920), pairs (Olympic sport since 1920) and ice
dancing (Olympic sport since 1976). The figure
skating rink is maximally 60¥30 m, and is
usually indoors. The figure skate blade is wider
than that of a speed skate, but narrower than that
of an ice hockey skate, with the boot being of
leather (similar to the speed skate) and extending
above the ankle joint (similar to the ice hockey
skate). Figure skaters perform a short pro-
gramme (maximum time, 2.5 min) and a long
programme (maximum time, 4.0 min) during
their event.