The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two different rest periods, 2 min and 3 min, between consecutive sets of a repeated sprint skating ability (RSSA) test, on the skating ability of ice hockey players. Two RSSA tests, RSSA-2 and RSSA-3, were assessed on 24 ice hockey players. In RSSA-2, six sets of 3 × 80 m sprint skating, with 2 min passive recovery between two consecutive sets was allowed. In RSSA-3, the recovery period between the sets was 3 min. Average speed, average heart rate (HRaver), peak heart rate (HRpeak), blood lactate concentration ([BLa]), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured in both RSSA-2 and RSSA-3 tests. In all the sets, except set 1, the average speed of the subjects was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in RSSA-3 than the respective set in RSSA-2. Average HR and RPE were higher in RSSA-2 than RSSA-3 in most of the sets. For any given set, no difference in HRpeak was noted between RSSA-2 and RSSA-3. Post-sprint (Set 6) [BLa] was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in RSSA-3 than RSSA-2. This study concludes that the 3 min rest period is more beneficial than the 2 min rest period, for (1) increasing skating speed and (2) reducing overall cardiac workload and perceived fatigue.

Department of Kinanthropology and Humanities Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Charles University 16252 Prague Czech Republic

Department of Physical Education and Sport Faculty of Education University of West Bohemia 30100 Pilsen Czech Republic

Faculty of Medical Sciences University of West Indies Cave Hill 11000 Barbados

Faculty of Science and Technology University of Silesia in Katowice 41 500 Chorzów Poland

Institute of Sport Sciences Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education 40 065 Katowice Poland

Zagłębie Sosnowiec Hockey Club 41 200 Sosnowiec Poland

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The Effects of Two Different Rest Intervals on the Repeated Skating Ability of Ice Hockey Forwards and Defensemen