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Bigger & Stronger
by Paul on 09/16/08 at 02:20 PM ET
Comments (5)
from a press release from ErekAlert for the Univ. of Alberta,
Researchers in the University of Alberta Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation looked at an NHL team over a 26-year cycle and discovered players have become bigger and fitter.
The research team studied 703 players from a Canadian-based NHL team from 1979 to 2005. The physiological profile derived from their research shows that over the 26 seasons, defencemen became taller and heavier as body mass increased; forwards got younger and had higher peak aerobic power outputs for cardio-respiratory endurance, while goalies were shorter and more flexible and had lower peak aerobic power outputs. All players combined (defence, forwards and goaltenders) increased body mass, height and anaerobic power over the 26 years.
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Comments
haha, that’s my faculty.
“A Canadian-based NHL team”. Gee, I wonder which one? Could it maybe be the Edmonton Oilers? I wonder!
Posted by dare on 09/16/08 at 02:51 PM ET
I figured that out just by watching the games on TV. Where do I sign up for my research grant?
Good point, YZ. For a hefty fee, I will also point out that NHL players are richer than they used to be.
Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 09/16/08 at 03:07 PM ET
Better, faster, stronger....
Posted by Oscar Goldman from OSI Headquarters on 09/16/08 at 06:57 PM ET
Pretty interesting to find that goalies are shorter than 26 years ago. That kind of runs counter to a trend we’re seeing right now, where goalies are getting much larger.
Also interesting that forwards have gotten younger. Increased conditioning should allow skilled players to be effective for longer, making the average forward older today than 26 years ago. It’s probably because of the huge widening of the talent pool since then, especially the enormous influx of Europeans. It could also be a result of improved training, conditioning, and preparation in minor leagues, producing NHL-calibre talent more quickly.
Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 09/16/08 at 09:46 PM ET
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I figured that out just by watching the games on TV. Where do I sign up for my research grant?
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 09/16/08 at 02:01 PM ET