Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences · Published 2026-07-01 · DOI 10.5604/01.3001.0055.8243
Andrew S. Perrotta, Natalie A. Adam, Maggie L Peterson, Patrick E. Monforton, Abigail Passy
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Background: </strong>University ice hockey players in North America have five years of eligibility, during which they must show continuous physical and technical advancement. This setup requires deliberate, evidence-based development programs to maximize each athlete’s potential across their tenure. With annual roster turnover, coaches are expected to raise the team’s baseline performance each season, demanding systematic, longitudinal strategies that align individual growth with program-wide gains. This study aimed to examine within-season and between-season changes in body composition and athletic performance in Canadian university female ice hockey players over three consecutive seasons. <strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 45 athletes volunteered to participate across a three-year period. Body composition was examined during the pre-, mid-, and post-season periods of each year. Musculoskeletal function and anaerobic performa nce were measured in a laboratory setting during the pre- and post-season period of each year. <strong>Results:</strong> Body composition showed no significant within- or between-season changes, while musculoskeletal performance declined significantly in the post-season of 2023/24. Anaerobic performance (Wingate test) was significantly reduced post-season in 2023/24, whereas 2024/25 exhibited significant post-season alterations (both improvements and declines) and a significant difference in Wingate results between 2023/24 and 2024/25. Within- and between-season differences in 2024/25 may reflect a reduced sample size due to graduating players. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Within-season declines in performance suggest cumulative fatigue and insufficient recovery, implying that current training and recovery protocols fail to maintain or restore physiological function over a season.</p>
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Perrotta, A., Adam, N., Peterson, M., et al. (2026). Temporal Changes in Body Composition and Performance Metrics Among Canadian Female University Ice Hockey Players: A Three Year Analysis. Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0055.8243