Latent Structures in On- and Off-Ice Physical Fitness During Ontogeny in Adolescent Ice Hockey Players
Latent Structures in On- and Off-Ice Physical Fitness During Ontogeny in Adolescent Ice Hockey Players

Summary/Abstract: This study aimed to examine the latent structure of general and sport-specific physical fitness in adolescent ice hockey players aged 12 to 15 years and to evaluate its development across two ontogenetic stages. Data were obtained from 1,502 players tested off-ice and 1,538 players tested on-ice, with 1,061 completing both. A longitudinal subsample of 493 players who completed all off- and on-ice tests in both 6th and 9th grades was used for confirmatory factor analysis. The off-ice battery included six general fitness tests, while the on-ice battery consisted of four to five skating-based assessments. Two CFA models were constructed to test grade-specific factor structures using the least squares method. In both age groups, a two-factor model was confirmed, comprising a general fitness factor and a grade-specific factor. In 6th grade, the specific factor was primarily defined by off-ice performance, whereas in 9th grade, it was defined by on-ice measures. The 6th-grade structure reflected a generalised motor base with moderate specialisation. By 9th grade, sport-specific fitness emerged more distinctly, while general fitness remained influential. The findings support a developmentally progressive model of physical fitness in adolescent ice hockey players. General fitness dominates early adolescence, whereas sport-specific competencies gain prominence by mid-adolescence. These insights have practical implications for designing age-appropriate, phased training programmes in youth ice hockey development.

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