Impact of Explosive Strength of Lower Limbs on Skating and Running Speed on a 10m Distance in 14 – 15 Years Old ICE Hockey Players: A Recent Study

The aim of this study was to see how a particular plyometric exercise programme affected skating and running speed in 14 - 15 year old ice hockey players over a 10-meter distance. Speed training is becoming even more important, which is one of the important factors in increasing the technical skills of a hockey player. The experiment consisted of 39 ice hockey players aged 14 - 15 years, we included 33 players in the final results (M; 14.7y ± 0.7; 166.5 cm ± 7.3; 53.4 kg ± 6.9), we eliminated 6 players due to various injuries and absences on all tests performed. The experimental group consisted of (n = 18) players of the cadet team HC 05 Banská Bystrica playing the highest cadet competition in Slovakia. The control group consisted of (n = 15) players of the cadet team MHC Martin, who also played the highest Slovak competition. The experimental set contained a plyometric exercise that was performed twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, always before the 8-week ice training unit. For statistical data processing, we employed the statistical programme R, and we employed the two-factor method of analysis of variance two-wayANOVA p < 0,05 to determine statistical significance.