International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2013, 8, 173-180
© 2013 Human Kinetics, Inc.
www.IJSPP-Journal.com
ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION
Cardiorespiratory Responses
to the 30-15 Intermittent Ice Test
Cyril Besson, Martin Buchheit, Manu Praz, Olivier Dériaz, and Grégoire P. Millet
Purpose: In this study, the authors compared the cardiorespiratory responses between the 30–15 Intermittent Ice
Test (30-15IIT) and the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) in semiprofessional hockey players. Methods:
Ten players (age 24 ± 6 y) from a Swiss League B team performed the 30-15IIT and 30-15IFT in random order
(13 ± 4 d between trials). Cardiorespiratory variables were measured with a portable gas analyzer. Ventilatory
threshold (VT), respiratory-compensation point (RCP), and maximal speeds were measured for both tests. Peak
blood lactate ([Lapeak]) was measured at 1 min postexercise. Results: Compared with 30-15IFT, 30-15IIT peak
heart rate (HRpeak; mean ± SD 185 ± 7 vs 189 ± 10 beats/min, P = .02) and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak;
60 ± 7 vs 62.7 ± 4 mL/min/kg, P = .02) were lower, whereas [Lapeak] was higher (10.9 ± 1 vs 8.6 ± 2 mmol/L,
P < .01) for the 30–15IIT. VT and RCP values during the 30-15IIT and 30-15IFT were similar for %HRpeak (76.3%
± 5% vs 75.5% ± 3%, P = .53, and 90.6% ± 3% vs. 89.8% ± 3%, P = .45) and % VO2peak (62.3% ± 5% vs
64.2% ± 6%, P = .46, and 85.9% ± 5% vs 84.0% ± 7%, P = .33). VO2peak (r = .93, P < .001), HRpeak (r = .86,
P = .001), and final velocities (r = .69, P = .029) were all largely to almost perfectly correlated. Conclusions:
Despite slightly lower maximal cardiorespiratory responses than in the field-running version of the test, the
on-ice 30-15IIT is of practical interest since it is a specific maximal test with a higher anaerobic component.
Keywords: aerobic capacity, field test, ice hockey
Ice hockey is one of the highest-velocity team
sports.1 Players perform short intermittent periods
called shifts from 30 to 80 seconds.1–3 During an effective 60-minute game that can be prolonged for almost
3 hours, players’ number of shifts is around 17, for a
total work length of less than 16 minutes.1,3 Intensity
of the game is very high, with rough physical contacts
and mean heart rate approaching 90% of maximum.2
Aerobic metabolism represents one-third of the total
energy requirement in ice hockey and influences the
performance of the anaerobic system.1 Maximal oxygen
uptake (VO2max) is a key parameter of performance, even
in intense and fast intermittent games like ice hockey.4
To assess aerobic capacities, the test often qualified as the “gold standard” is an incremental protocol
realized on a treadmill or a cycle ergometer with gasexchange analysis. This process is accurate, valid, and
reliable, but it is expensive, allows testing only 1 athlete
at a time, and is nonspecific. Several field tests have been
developed,5–7 notably guided by the following criteria:
Besson and Millet are with the ISSUL Inst of Sport Sciences–Dept of Physiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne,
Switzerland. Buchheit is with the Sport Science Dept, Aspire
Academy for Sports Excellence, Doha, Qatar. Praz and Dériaz
are with the Inst of Research in Rehabilitation, SUVAcare,
Sion, Switzerland.
inexpensive, no sophisticated equipment required and
easily manageable, time-efficient, possibility to test
several players at a time, and valid and reliable.5 The
principle of specificity must also be considered. Most of
these tests measure maximal aerobic function during a
continuous maximal effort in running or biking. Exercise mode implies differences in peak oxygen uptake
(VO2peak),8 anaerobic contribution,9 metabolic cost,10
and muscle recruitment.11 Following these points, it
is legitimate to state that the specific evaluation of a
hockey player’s aerobic power has to be performed on
ice. Specific ice hockey tests such as the Skating Multistage Aerobic Test and the Faught Aerobic Skating
Test were first developed.5,6 Recently, Buchheit et al12
developed the 30–15 Intermittent Ice Test (30-15IIT),
which aims to evaluate the maximal aerobic power and
skating economy in hockey players whose skating skills
are mastered. This test is an adaptation of the original
running version, the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test
(30-15IFT).13,14 One of the main interests of the test is that
the final speed (V30-15IFT) is more accurate for defining shuttle interval-training sessions than continuous
incremental tests such as the Léger shuttle-run test.13
As previously shown, despite higher final speed
(19.9 vs 19.3 km/h) and peak lactate (11.2 vs 10.3
mmol/L) during the 30-15IIT than in the 30-15IFT, there
was no difference in peak heart rate (HRpeak; 192 ± 5
vs 192 ± 7 beats/min).12 However, comparisons of gas-
173
174 Besson et al
exchange variables, both at submaximal key intensities
(ie, ventilatory threshold or respiratory-compensation
point) and at exhaustion, during both tests are still lacking. The purpose of this study was therefore to compare
submaximal and maximal cardiorespiratory responses
between the 30-15IIT and the 30-15IFT in semiprofessional
adult hockey players.
Methods
Subjects
Ten male ice hockey players (mean ± SD; age 24 ± 6 y,
height 180.1 ± 5 cm, body mass 86.4 ± 7.8 kg, training
volume 15 ± 5 h/wk) participated in the study. All players
played on the same team in the semiprofessional Swiss
National League B. Each participant was informed of the
procedures and the risks associated with participation in
the study and gave his written informed consent before
participation. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Canton of Vaud, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Methodology
Each player performed both tests (ie, the 30-15IIT and
30-15IFT) within 2 weeks (13 ± 4 d between trials) in a
random order. All tests were performed during the preseason period. Each was performed at the same time of
day (difference in time between tests: 35.0 ± 34.9 min),
in the morning (between 8 and 10:30 AM), before the
team’s usual practice session. Players were also asked
to refrain from exercise in the 24-hour period preceding
the tests. All players had a preliminary visit to the club
doctor to assess fitness and inclusion criteria, including a resting ECG. Before each testing session, players
had to fill a sport and health questionnaire containing
details about general health, last 24-hour food intake,
and so on. At their first session, players’ height was
measured. Body mass was measured at each session.
The hockey equipment represented an additional load
of 6.7 ± 1.2 kg compared with the 30-15IFT equipment
(shorts, T-shirt, sport shoes). Players were familiarized
with testing procedures of the 30-15IIT since they had
already performed the 30-15IFT 2 months before the
current experiment. The 30-15IIT was performed under
sport-specific environmental conditions (12°C ± 2.6°C
air temperature on the bench at 1.5 m from the ice), and
the 30-15IFT was conducted in a covered lane of the icerink facility (16°C ± 2.8°C). In addition to final speed,
time to exhaustion (Te, s) was recorded in each test by
measuring time from the very beginning of the test to
the moment of exhaustion.
The 30-15IFT
After being equipped with a portable gas analyzer
(Metamax 3b, Cortex Biophysik, Leipzig, Germany)
and a heart-rate monitor (Polar Team2 Pro system, Polar
Electro, Kempele, Finland), players sat for 5 minutes
for resting measures. The 30-15IFT is incremental and
consists of 30-second shuttle runs followed by 15-second
passive recovery periods. After an audible signal setting the speed every 20 m, the player had to run back
and forth on a 40-m long track. The protocol takes in
consideration the added work for changes of direction
(+ 0.7 s per change of direction). Initial velocity was set
at 10 km/h (The test usually begins at 8 km/h, but given
the athletic profile of the players, the lower steps were
removed to reduce the length of the procedure and to
have a smaller Te). Velocity increased by 0.5 km/h every
45-second stage. Players had to complete as many stages
as possible until they could not maintain the indicated
pace (if they failed to reach a 3-m zone near each marked
line at the audible signal on 3 consecutive occasions,
they were asked to stop the test). The speed at the last
completed stage was recorded as V30-15IFT.
The 30-15IIT
Players were equipped with the heart-rate monitor and
were asked to wear their full equipment except shoulder
pads and helmet so that they could wear the portable
gas analyzer. They wore then a base layer, a jock short,
hockey socks, skates, elbow pads, gloves, shin guards,
pants, their stick, and a portable gas analyzer for the test.
The test began with 5 minutes of sitting rest on the bench
(approximately 1.5 m from the ice rink). The 30-15IIT
protocol and layout are the same as for the 30-15IFT,
except that the increments are 0.63 km/h per stage with
a start at 10.8 km/h. Players had to do a “stop and go” to
change direction. The same criteria as those in 30-15IFT
were used to determine the end of the test. The speed
at the last completed stage was recorded as V30-15IIT
(maximal skating velocity).
Heart-Rate Measurements
Beat-to-beat heart rate was recorded. Heart-rate values at
ventilatory threshold (VT) and respiratory-compensation
point (RCP) were 15-second averages, and HRpeak was
recorded as a 5-second average at the end of the exercise,
as in the preliminary study.12
Gas Measurements
Breath-by-breath ventilatory variables were measured.
The portable gas-exchange analyzer was calibrated using
the manufacturer’s recommendations before each testing
session. The same device was used for all tests. In each
test, gas samples were averaged every 15 seconds, and
the highest values for VO2 over 15 seconds were regarded
as VO2peak. Breathing frequency in breaths per minute,
carbon dioxide production (VCO2), VO2, ventilation in
liters per minute (VE),respiratory-exchange ratio calculated as VCO2:VO2 ratio, and tidal volume in liters were
kept for analysis.
30-15 Intermittent Ice Test 175
Blood Lactate Concentration
One minute after the end of each test, a fingertip capillary blood sample (5 μL) was collected and analyzed for
lactate concentration with a Lactate Pro lactate analyzer
(Arkray Inc, Japan)15 and was considered peak blood
lactate ([La]peak).
Determination of VT, RCP, and Maximal
Effort
VT was determined using the criteria of an increase in
VE:VO2 with no increase in VE:VCO2 and deflection
from the linearity of VE, whereas RCP corresponded to
an increase in both VE:VO2 and VE:VCO2.16 All assessments of the VT and RCP were made by visual inspection
of graphs, with each relevant respiratory variable plotted
against time. The visual inspections were carried out by
2 experienced exercise physiologists. The results were
then compared and then averaged. The difference in the
individual determinations of VT and RCP was 2.7%.
Each physiological variable corresponding to VT, RCP,
and maximal speed was expressed in absolute terms and
relative to VO2peak and HRpeak measured for each respective test.
Maximal effort was considered reached if players
realized 3 of the 4 following criteria: a plateau in VO2,
defined as an increase of less than 1.5 mL/min/kg despite
progressive increases in running or skating speed; a final
respiratory-exchange ratio of 1.1 or above; a final heart
rate above 90% of the age-predicted maximum; and a
final blood [La] above 8 mmol/L.
Mean values ± SD for VO2 and heart rate were
expressed as a function of Te in both tests and are
presented in Figures 1 and 2. The values were first
15-second averaged (including the 15-s rest periods) then
interpolated as 5% values to compare tests of different
durations and then different peak velocities (as in some
of our previous studies, eg, Girard et al17).
Statistical Analysis
All variables are presented as mean ± SD. Data obtained
at VT, RCP, and maximal speeds were compared between
30-15IIT and 30-15IFT using paired-sample t tests. The
relationships between submaximal (VT, RCP) or maximal values in both tests were assessed by Pearson product–moment correlation coefficient with 90% confidence
intervals (90% CI).18 In addition, the following criteria were
adopted to interpret the magnitude of the correlations: 0.1,
trivial; >0.1 to 0.3, small; >0.3 to 0.5, moderate; >0.5 to
0.7, large; >0.7 to 0.9, very large; and >0.9 to 1.0, almost
perfect.19 A 1-way repeated-measures ANOVA with Tukey
post hoc test was used to test the differences between mean
VO2 and heart-rate responses over time in both tests (Figures 1 and 2). If distributions were not normal, Friedman
analysis of variance by ranks was used with Tukey post
hoc comparisons. The statistical analyses were performed
using SigmaPlot 11.0 software (SSI, San Jose, CA). For all
variables, statistical significance was accepted at P < .05.
Figure 1 — Evolution of oxygen uptake (VO2) during the 30–15 Intermittent Ice Test (30-15IIT) and 30–15 Intermittent Fitness
Test (30-15IFT; n = 10). Values are mean + SD for the upper 30-15IFT curve and mean – SD for the lower 30-15IIT curve expressed as
a function of time to exhaustion (T­e). *P < .05; **P < .005; ***P < .001 for difference between 30-15IIT and 30-15IFT.
176 Besson et al
Figure 2 — Evolution of heart rate (HR) during the 30-15 Intermittent Ice Test (30-15IIT) and 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test
(30-15IFT; n = 10). Values are mean + SD for the upper 30-15IFT curve and mean – SD for the lower 30-15IIT curve expressed as a
function of time to exhaustion (Te). *P < .05; **P < .005; ***P < .001 for difference between 30-15IIT and 30-15IFT.
Results
Te, [La]peak, and Criteria of Maximal Effort
The number of players who satisfied maximal criteria is
shown in Table 1. No differences were found between
maximal velocities, with 18.8 ±1.0 and 18.9 ± 0.6 km/h
for V30-15IIT and V30-15IFT, respectively. Te was longer
for 30-15IFT than for 30-15IIT (851.1 ± 56.9 vs 631.6 ±
62.9 s, P < .001). Mean values of [La]peak were higher
for 30-15IIT than for 30-15IFT (10.9 ± 1.3 vs 8.6 ± 1.6
mmol/L, P < .01).
Cardiorespiratory Responses
HRpeak and VO2peak were significantly lower for 30-15IIT
than for 30-15IFT, as seen in Table 2.
Physiological Variables at VT
Mean values ± SD of the ventilatory variables at VT
are shown in Table 3. No difference was found in VO2
between the 2 tests. However, at VT, VCO2 was significantly lower on ice, as well as, consequently, the
respiratory-exchange ratio. Breathing frequency was
Table 1 Number of Athletes Who Satisfied the
Criteria for Maximal Effort (N = 10)
30-15IIT
30-15IFT
Criterion
n
%
n
%
VO2 plateau
Respiratory-exchange ratio
Heart rate
[La]peak
8
9
10
10
80
90
100
100
8
6
9
6
80
60
90
60
Abbreviations: 30-15IIT indicates 30–15 Intermittent Ice Test; 30-15IFT,
30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test. Note: Criterion levels were as follows:
VO2 plateau, an increase in oxygen uptake of less than 1.5 mL/min/kg
despite progressive increases in exercise intensity; respiratory-exchange
ratio, a final ratio of 1.1 or above; heart rate, a final rate above 90% of
the age-predicted maximum; [La]peak, a final blood lactate concentration above 8 mmol/L.
significantly lower at VT for 30-15IIT. No significant difference was found between tests when considering heart
rate and VO2 at VT when expressed as percentages of
HRpeak and VO2peak measured during the 2 tests.
30-15 Intermittent Ice Test 177
Table 2 Physiological Values and Final
Velocities in Hockey Players Corresponding to
Maximum Work Loads During the 30-15IIT and
30-15IFT, Mean ± SD
Variable
VO2, mL/min/kg
VCO2, mL/min/kg
RER
Heart rate,
beats/min
Breaths/min
Tidal volume, L
[La], mmol/L
Final velocity,
km/h
30-15IIT
30-15IFT
P
60.0 ± 6.6
69.9 ± 6.2
1.17 ± 0.05
62.7 ± 4.4
69.0 ± 4.5
1.11 ± 0.06
.019
.484
.025
185 ± 7
58.1 ± 8.9
2.6 ± 0.5
10.9 ± 1.0
189 ± 10
61.2 ± 9.4
2.3 ± 0.5
8.6 ± 2.0
.018
.021
<.001
<.01
18.8 ± 1.0
18.9 ± 0.6
.689
Abbreviations: 30-15IIT indicates 30–15 Intermittent Ice Test; 30-15IFT,
30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test; VO2, oxygen uptake; VCO2, carbon
dioxide production; RER, respiratory-exchange ratio; [La], maximal
blood lactate concentration.
Table 3 Physiological Values in Hockey
Players Corresponding to the Ventilatory
Threshold During the 30-15IIT and the 30-15IFT,
Mean ± SD
Variable
VO2, mL/min/kg
VCO2, mL/min/kg
RER
Heart rate,
beats/min
Breaths/min
Tidal volume, L
%VO2peak
%HRpeak
30-15IIT
37.3 ± 4.3
30.9 ± 4.5
0.82 ± 0.05
30-15IFT
40.3 ± 5.0
36.3 ± 4.0
0.91 ± 0.04
P
.060
<.005
<.001
141 ± 11
143 ± 4
.513
29.1 ± 5.0
1.9 ± 0.3
62.3 ± 4.9
76.3 ± 4.7
33.1 ± 4.7
2.0 ± 0.4
64.2 ± 6.3
75.5 ± 2.7
.028
.696
.461
.530
Abbreviations: 30-15IIT indicates 30–15 Intermittent Ice Test; 30-15IFT,
30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test; VO2, oxygen uptake; VCO2, carbon
dioxide production; RER, respiratory-exchange ratio; HR, heart rate.
Physiological Variables at RCP
The values at RCP are presented in Table 4. No difference
was noticed for any variables. Percentages of HRpeak and
VO2peak at RCP showed no significant difference between
both tests.
Relationships Between Cardiovascular
Variables in the 30-15IIT and 30-15IFT
Correlation coefficients between VO2peak, HRpeak, [La]
peak, and final speed measured in each test are presented
in Table 5. The relationship between VO2peak values measured during the 30-15IIT and 30-15IFT is shown in Figure
3. No correlation except for heart rate (r = .74, .32–.92,
P = .014) was found for variables at VT. VO2, VCO2, and
tidal volume were correlated at RCP (r = .69, .22–.90,
P = .027; r = .72, .27–.91, P = .02; and r = .82, .49–.94,
P = .004, respectively). No significant correlations were
found between V30-15IIT and VO2peak 30-15IIT (r = .523,
–.04 to .83, P = .12) or V30-15IFT and VO2peak 30-­15IFT
(r = .601, .07–.87, P = .07).
Table 4 Physiological Values in Hockey
Players Corresponding to the Respiratory
Compensation Point During the 30-15IIT and in
30-15IFT, Mean ± SD
Variable
VO2, mL/min/kg
VCO2, mL/min/kg
RER
Heart rate,
beats/min
Breaths/min
Tidal volume, L
% VO2peak
%HRpeak
30-15IIT
51.6 ± 6.3
51.7 ± 6.2
1.00 ± 0.02
30-15IFT
52.6 ± 4.4
51.8 ± 4.5
0.98 ± 0.04
P
.504
.944
.212
168 ± 10
39.3 ± 4.2
2.4 ± 0.4
85.9 ± 4.7
90.6 ± 2.9
170 ± 9
41.7 ± 5.4
2.3 ± 0.5
84.0 ± 7.3
89.8 ± 2.7
.392
.211
.133
.329
.448
Abbreviations: 30-15IIT indicates 30–15 Intermittent Ice Test; 30-15IFT,
30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test; VO2, oxygen uptake; VCO2, carbon
dioxide production; RER, respiratory-exchange ratio; HR, heart rate.
Table 5 Correlation Coefficients for Peak Values Reached During
Both Tests
Variable
r (90% CI)
P
Rating
VO2peak
.93 (.78–.98)
<.001
Almost
perfect
[La]peak
.17 (–.43 to .66)
.65
Small
Final speed
.69 (.21–.9)
.03
Large
HRpeak
.86 (.58–.96)
<.01
Very large
Abbreviations: VO2 indicates oxygen uptake; [La], blood lactate concentration; HR, heart rate.
178 Besson et al
Figure 3 — Relationship between peak maximal oxygen uptake (VO2) values measured during the 30–15 Intermittent Ice Test
(30-15IIT) and 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT).
Discussion
The main result of the current study is that, compared
with the field-running version of the test (ie, 30-15IFT),
maximal cardiorespiratory responses (HRpeak and VO2peak)
to the 30-15IIT were lower; peak lactate was, however,
higher during the 30-15IIT.
Cardiorespiratory Responses
All players met the criteria for maximal efforts (Table
1), and VO2peak and HRpeak values for both tests were at
least largely correlated (Table 5), which lends support
to the validity of the 30-15IIT to assess maximal cardiorespiratory function.12 However, in our population of
semiprofessional hockey players, VO2peak and HRpeak
were slightly lower at the end of the 30-15IIT than with
the 30-15IFT (Table 2).The lower on-ice VO2peak is not in
accordance with the concept of specificity that maximal
cardiorespiratory responses are higher during a sportspecific test, as shown, for example, in racket sports.17,20
However, the fact that we compared 2 field tests instead
of a field test with a laboratory test likely lowered the
observed differences. There are many differences between
skating and running locomotion patterns that can explain
the observed cardiorespiratory responses.8 In comparison
with running, the locomotion pattern of skating implies
short accelerations and long gliding decelerations. The
intermittent feature of the 30-15IIT could therefore induce
different work-recovery ratios while skating, and the
breathing–locomotion coupling may be more disturbed
in skating than in running. In addition, the accelerations
and the “stop-and-goes” may require more strength
during skating than while running. Rundell21 reported
that speed skaters reached lower VO2peak when skating
on a specific treadmill than when running on a treadmill
(57.2 ± 2.7 vs 64.3 ± 1.6 mL/min/kg). The difference in
VO2peak was suggested to be due to the low position when
skating.21 The fact that respiratory-exchange ratio was
lower at low intensity (Table 3) but higher at maximal
intensity (Table 2) in skating than in running could also
be related to the differences in acceleration/deceleration
between the 2 types of activity, affecting, in turn, energy
metabolism’s contribution.
[La] Accumulation
In the current study, [La]peak was higher after the 30-15IIT
than after the 30-15IFT (Table 2). This is in agreement
with the previous study on the 30-15IIT,12 where [La]peak
was also greater during the 30-15IIT than in the 30-15IFT
(11.2 vs 10.3 mmol/L). Current results are also consistent with previous results showing that, compared
with running, skating seems to trigger the anaerobic
pathways more. Foster et al22 suggested that a greater
muscle blood-flow restriction may occur during skating,
which can be explained either by larger intramuscular
force (knee angle) and/or by the longer duty cycle of the
skating stroke. In such a “sitting” position, an increased
oxygen desaturation of the lower limbs’ muscles (vastus
lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris,
and gluteus maximus) was also observed.23 This higher
desaturation was further increased during submaximal
efforts in low position and related to a greater produc-
30-15 Intermittent Ice Test 179
tion of [La].22,23 However, these measurements were not
performed in sport-specific conditions but on a skating
treadmill; further research using near-infrared spectroscopy during the 30-15IIT is therefore still warranted. It
is also worth noting that the protective equipment may
also be responsible for an increase in blood lactate.24 The
equipment, which restrains airflow and increases skin
temperature, seems to inhibit the potential advantage of
playing in a cool environment by affecting metabolism
in a similar way as when exercising in heat.24 In contrast,
Léger et al8 found no effect of the equipment on maximal [La] concentration, but maximal speed was lower
with equipment. This was interpreted as a result of an
increased energy cost with the equipment. For the reasons
cited herein (eg, changes in thermoregulation, energy
cost), we think that the equipment may have played a
role in the differences in the metabolic contributions to
the 2 tests.
Skating Performance
In the current study, peak velocities were similar in both
tests (Table 2) and largely correlated (Table 5). The lack
of speed difference contrasts, however, with the previous study on the 30-15IIT, where a slightly higher final
speed was reported for the 30-15IIT than for the 30-15IFT
(19.9 vs 19.3 km/h). Difference in study populations
may explain these differences—the adult players who
participated in the current study may present a better
skating economy than the young players involved in
the study of Buchheit et al.12 This could have permitted
them to reach a higher skating speed for a given running speed on the track. In comparison with running,
because of the body’s position in skating, acceleration
phases are likely to require a higher contribution of fasttwitch fibers,21–23 which are known to be less oxidative
and less efficient. This may have counterbalanced for
the gliding–recovery phase occurring before the deceleration–brake–turn during the 30-15IIT and explained, in
turn, the similar speed reached during the running and
the skating versions of the test. Further investigations
with EMG and muscle-oxygenation responses would
help clarify possible differences in muscle recruitment
and metabolism between the 2 tests. Finally, it is worth
noting that there was no clear correlation between VO2peak
and maximal speed during the 30-15IIT. While the small
sample size and the heterogeneity of VO2peak values may
partly explain the lack of association, this observation is
rather a proof that VO2peak is not the only determinant of
performance during the test. Indeed, as already concluded
for the 30-15IFT,13 performance on the test is related to
not only VO2peak but also neuromuscular factors, motor
coordination, and anaerobic metabolism. In the particular
case of the 30-15IIT, skating technique is highly important
and may further decrease the direct impact of VO2peak on
the final performance. This is actually the interest of the
test: The final velocity is a composite velocity that takes
into consideration all these ice-hockey-specific factors
simultaneously.
To summarize, the physiological and performance
responses to on-ice high-intensity exercise are likely
influenced by the particular breathing:locomotion ratio
and movement efficiency inherent to skating, the low
body position on skates, the ambient temperature, and
the equipment. By its weight and its effects on thermoregulation, this latter may have also influenced skating
efficiency and skin- and core-temperature regulation.
Finally, there was no difference in heart rate and VO2
at VT and RCP when values were expressed as a function of the maximal values (HRpeak and VO2peak) reached
in each test. This suggests that the occurrence of these
submaximal thresholds is independent of locomotor patterns and confirms that submaximal heart rate (at either
VT or RCP, irrespective of the locomotor pattern) could
be used to monitor changes in hockey-specific physical
performance.12
Practical Applications
Despite slightly lower maximal cardiorespiratory
responses (HRpeak and VO2peak) than in the field-running
version of the test, the on-ice 30-15IIT has the advantage of
being a maximal test with a higher anaerobic component;
this latter energy system is an important fitness component of ice-hockey performance.1 In practical ways, the
V30-15IFT can be used to schedule intermittent-running
aerobic training during the preseason to improve maximal aerobic power. Given the almost perfect correlation
reported between VO2peak values reached in the 2 tests
(r = .93), central adaptations (ie, cardiovascular system)
resulting from field-running-based training could help
improve on-ice aerobic performance. On the other hand,
the specificity of the 30-15IIT test allows the results to
be useful for a specific evaluation first, and then both to
monitor changes in on-ice physical performance12 and to
program on-ice intermittent training. The fact that several
players may be tested in a sport-specific environment at
a time is of practical interest, and players’ motivation is
increased when performing a sport-specific test. The fact
that the V30-15IIT integrates between-efforts recovery
renders the test, by definition, more specific to interval
training than a continuously determined speed. Therefore,
as shown with the V30-15IFT,13 the V30-15IIT is in theory
also more accurate than a continuously determined speed
to schedule any type of intermittent exercises on the ice,
irrespective of the work:relief ratio.13 Future studies on
hockey-specific interval-training responses are now warranted to examine the practicality and benefits of using
the V30-15IIT to determine a reference skating speed to
schedule on-ice intermittent training.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the organization of HC SierreAnniviers for providing ice time and motivated players, especially Robert Mongrain, Benoît Pont, and Christian Pralong.
The Clinique Romande de Réadaptation’s collaborators, having
180 Besson et al
helped organize testing sessions, must also be thanked for their
kind and valuable assistance. The soundtrack of both tests can
be requested from Martin Buchheit at mb@martin-buchheit.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
1. Cox MH, Miles DS, Verde TJ, Rhodes EC. Applied physiology of ice hockey. Sports Med. 1995;19(3):184–201.
PubMed doi:10.2165/00007256-199519030-00004
2. Montgomery DL. Physiology of ice hockey. Sports Med.
1988;5(2):99–126. PubMed doi:10.2165/00007256198805020-00003
3. Green H, Bishop P, Houston M, McKillop R, Norman R,
Stothart P. Time–motion and physiological assessments of
ice hockey performance. J Appl Physiol. 1976;40(2):159–
163. PubMed
4.Montgomery DL. Physiological profile of professional
hockey players—a longitudinal comparison. Appl Physiol
Nutr Metab. 2006;31(3):181–185. PubMed doi:10.1139/
h06-012
5. Petrella NJ, Montelpare WJ, Nystrom M, Plyley M, Faught
BE. Validation of the FAST skating protocol to predict
aerobic power in ice hockey players. Appl Physiol Nutr
Metab. 2007;32(4):693–700. PubMed doi:10.1139/H07057
6. Leone M, Leger LA, Lariviere G, Comtois AS. An on-ice
aerobic maximal multistage shuttle skate test for elite adolescent hockey players. Int J Sports Med. 2007;28(10):823–
828. PubMed doi:10.1055/s-2007-964986
7.Leger LA, Mercier D, Gadoury C, Lambert J. The
multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness. J Sports Sci. 1988;6(2):93–101. PubMed
doi:10.1080/02640418808729800
8. Léger L, Seliger V, Brassard L. Comparisons among VO2
max values for hockey players and runners. Can J Appl
Sport Sci Mar. 1979;4(1):18–21.
9.Ratel S, Williams CA, Oliver J, Armstrong N. Effects
of age and mode of exercise on power output profiles
during repeated sprints. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004;92(12):204–210. PubMed doi:10.1007/s00421-004-1081-x
10. Lafortuna CL, Agosti F, Galli R, Busti C, Lazzer S, Sartorio
A. The energetic and cardiovascular response to treadmill
walking and cycle ergometer exercise in obese women.
Eur J Appl Physiol. 2008;103(6):707–717. PubMed
doi:10.1007/s00421-008-0758-y
11. Bijker KE, de Groot G, Hollander AP. Differences in leg
muscle activity during running and cycling in humans.
Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;87(6):556–561. PubMed
doi:10.1007/s00421-002-0663-8
12. Buchheit M, Lefebvre B, Laursen PB, Ahmaidi S. Reliability, usefulness, and validity of the 30–15 Intermittent
Ice Test in young elite ice hockey players. J Strength
Cond Res. 2011;25(5):1457–1464. PubMed doi:10.1519/
JSC.0b013e3181d686b7
13. Buchheit M. The 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test: accuracy
for individualizing interval training of young intermittent
sport players. J Strength Cond Res. 2008;22(2):365–374.
PubMed doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181635b2e
14.Buchheit M, Al Haddad H, Millet GP, Lepretre PM,
Newton M, Ahmaidi S. Cardiorespiratory and cardiac autonomic responses to 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test in team
sport players. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(1):93–100.
PubMed doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e31818b9721
15.Pyne DB, Boston T, Martin DT, Logan A. Evaluation
of the Lactate Pro blood lactate analyser. Eur J Appl
Physiol. 2000;82(1-2):112–116. PubMed doi:10.1007/
s004210050659
16.Davis JA. Anaerobic threshold: review of the concept
and directions for future research. Med Sci Sports Exerc.
1985;17(1):6–21. PubMed
17.Girard O, Chevalier R, Leveque F, Micallef JP, Millet
GP. Specific incremental field test for aerobic fitness in
tennis. Br J Sports Med. 2006;40(9):791–796. PubMed
doi:10.1136/bjsm.2006.027680
18.Hopkins WG. A spreadsheet for deriving a confidence
interval, mechanistic inference and clinical inference from
a p value. Sportscience. 2007;11:16–20.
19.Hopkins WG, Marshall SW, Batterham AM, Hanin J.
Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and
exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(1):3–13.
PubMed doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e31818cb278
20.Girard O, Sciberras P, Habrard M, Hot P, Chevalier R,
Millet GP. Specific incremental test in elite squash players. Br J Sports Med. 2005;39(12):921–926. PubMed
doi:10.1136/bjsm.2005.018101
21. Rundell KW. Compromised oxygen uptake in speed skaters during treadmill in-line skating. Med Sci Sports Exerc.
1996;28(1):120–127. PubMed doi:10.1097/00005768199601000-00023
22.Foster C, Rundell KW, Snyder AC, et al. Evidence for
restricted muscle blood flow during speed skating. Med
Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;31(10):1433–1440. PubMed
doi:10.1097/00005768-199910000-00012
23. Rundell KW, Nioka S, Chance B. Hemoglobin/myoglobin
desaturation during speed skating. Med Sci Sports Exerc.
1997;29(2):248–258. PubMed doi:10.1097/00005768199702000-00014
24. Noonan B, Mack G, Stachenfeld N. The effects of hockey
protective equipment on high-intensity intermittent
exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39(8):1327–1335.
PubMed doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e3180619644