The Relationship Between Aerobic Capacity, Lactate Clearance, and Heart Rate Recovery in Ice Hockey Players

This study investigated the influence of aerobic capacity on lactate clearance rate and heart rate recovery during ice hockey matches. Considering the growing intensity and anaerobic demands of modern ice hockey, the ability to recover quickly between high-intensity shifts is essential for optimal performance. Thirty-eight amateur ice hockey players (age: 35 ± 5 years; VO2max: 48.93 ± 3.88 mL·min−1·kg−1) from the Silesian Amateur Hockey League underwent laboratory ramp tests to determine VO2max, followed by on-ice repeated sprint tests and heart rate monitoring during matches. The results demonstrated significant positive correlations between VO2max and lactate clearance (ΔLa4–8min [mmol/L]= 2.55 ± 0.58 mmol·L−1; rho = 0.545; p < 0.001), as well as heart rate recovery (Δ%HRmax = 25.88 ± 2.09%; rho = 0.682; p < 0.001). Players with higher VO2max exhibited a faster reduction in heart rate during recovery periods between shifts and maintained better sprint performance (rho = –0.877; p < 0.001). These findings confirm that higher aerobic capacity enhances both metabolic and autonomic recovery processes, enabling players to sustain high-intensity efforts more effectively during the game. The study highlights the importance of developing aerobic fitness in hockey training to improve recovery efficiency and match performance.