Four separate studies looking at different levels of competition across different time periods share common findings.
Defensemen log more minutes, but their shifts are characterized by significantly less high intensity work and sprinting compared to forwards.
The natural question that arises here is “should defensemen spend more time doing longer aerobic work?”
Short answer – no.
Just because defensemen accumulate less sprinting throughout a game does not make their speed less important.
This information does, however, mean that the energy system contributions to their work will differ from forwards.
To your success,
Kevin Neeld
SpeedTrainingforHockey.com
HockeyTransformation.com
OptimizingAdaptation.com
P.S. For in-season and off-season hockey conditioning programs, click here >> Ultimate Hockey Transformation
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Kevin has rapidly established himself as a leader in the field of physical preparation and sports science for ice hockey. He is currently the Head Performance Coach for the Boston Bruins, where he oversees all aspects of designing and implementing the team’s performance training program, as well as monitoring the players’ performance, workload and recovery. Prior to Boston, Kevin spent 2 years as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the San Jose Sharks after serving as the Director of Performance at Endeavor Sports Performance in Pitman, NJ. He also spent 5 years as a Strength and Conditioning Coach with USA Hockey’s Women’s Olympic Hockey Team, and has been an invited speaker at conferences hosted by the NHL, NSCA, and USA Hockey.
“I can say without wavering that Kevin's one of my most trusted resources in the strength and conditioning field.”
Eric Cressey, President, Cressey Sports Performance