Youth roller hockey players : characteristics by playing position

Abstract

Purpose: The present study examined the association of maturity and anthropometric characteristics with performance (field and laboratory tests) in young roller hockey players, considering position as a potential source of inter-individual variability. Method: Seventy three Portuguese [goalkeepers (n = 13), defenders (n = 29), attackers (n = 31)], highly trained male athletes (CA: 15.41 ± 0.64 years; SA: 16.41 ± 1.47 years; stature: 169.9 ± 6.9 cm; body mass: 63.9 ± 11.3 kg) performed eight field tests (squat and counter movement jump, standing long jump, sit-ups, hand-grip, 2-Kg ball throw, 25m dash, 20-m multi-stage continuous shuttle run) and three laboratory tests (incremental maximal test on a motorized treadmill, 30-s Wingate test, isokinetic dynamometry at 60°·s-1). Results: Cross-sectional analysis revealed differences (p < 0.05) in body size, lower limb explosive strength, short-term field and laboratory tests and aerobic endurance characteristics, between the outfield position groups and goalkeepers. Estimates for body mass exponents from the separate allometric models for hand grip strength (0.639), 2 Kg ball throw (0.453), peak O2 uptake (0.600), WAnT peak output (0.952) and peak torques (0.386 – 0.598) seemed to be specific of the sport. After considering scaling, for the obtained body mass exponents, variation by playing position was not significant. Conclusion: Functional performance of adolescent roller hockey players is mostly mediated by corresponding changes in overall body mass. Finally, variation by playing position is attenuated when functional performance is normalized using allometric models.