A Study on Isokinetic Knee Muscle Function in Korea Men’s National Ice Hockey Players

This study investigated the isokinetic knee muscle function of adult male national ice hockey players by categorizing them into Forward and Defense groups. The results demonstrated that the Defense group exhibited significantly greater values in peak torque (PT) of both knee extension and flexion, relative strength expressed as peak torque to body weight ratio (PT%BW), and, to some extent, average power (AP), compared with the Forward group. These findings suggest that positional roles in ice hockey exert a direct influence on the development of lower-limb muscle function. In particular, defense players are frequently subjected to repeated collisions, strong physical resistance, and explosive movements during gameplay, which may account for their superior lower-limb muscle capacity relative to forwards. Accordingly, tailored training programs that emphasize the enhancement of muscular strength and endurance in the lower limbs are essential for improving athletic performance and preventing injuries. However, the present study was limited by a relatively small sample size and the exclusive focus on male national-level athletes, which restricts the generalizability of the findings. Future research should incorporate larger and more diverse samples, include additional functional variables, and examine multiple joint regions. Such comprehensive approaches would yield more precise insights and contribute to the establishment of position-specific training strategies aimed at optimizing performance in elite ice hockey players.