By Coach K-Mac | Hardbody Athlete
One of the most common questions I get from athletes, parents, and even coaches is:
“What conditioning tests do you use on the ice to evaluate hockey players?”
Historically, the Petersen Test has been a reliable option. It’s stood the test of time for a reason — it gives a general look at anaerobic capacity and repeated sprint ability in a hockey-specific format. But over the past few years, I’ve evolved our testing protocols to provide deeper insights that go beyond just gas tanks.
Here’s what we’ve been using more frequently at Hardbody:
✅ The Peanut Test
A movement-based, hockey-specific conditioning protocol that forces directional change and mimics actual gameplay movement demands. It’s shaped like a peanut (two ovals with a crossover zone) and is fantastic for evaluating:
- Skating mechanics under fatigue
- Edge control
- Recovery between bouts
✅ Repeated VALD Speedgates Sprints (Force/Velocity Monitoring)
Using the VALD Speedgates system, we can monitor high-velocity sprints and capture real-time data on:
- Peak velocity
- Acceleration
- Power output
- Fatigue profile over repeated bouts
This allows us to personalize off-ice training and recovery protocols and measure real transfer from gym to ice.
🧪 Why It Matters
Testing isn’t just about who works the hardest — it’s about identifying what’s holding you back:
- Is it aerobic capacity?
- Is it poor force application?
- Is it mechanical inefficiency under fatigue?
We use on-ice testing as part of a bigger picture that includes movement screening, strength assessments, CMJ (Countermovement Jump) testing with ForceDecks, and InBody body composition analysis.
📍 What Makes Hardbody Different
Most programs test to check a box.
We test to make better decisions.
If you want to learn more about how we use sports science to drive performance — not just measure it — tap this link to book your Discovery Call.
TRAIN | FUEL | RECOVER | DOMINATE