Purpose: Evaluation of strength abilities of professional ice hockey players before and immediately after the game. Methods: Twenty-three professional ice hockey players aged 20.5 ± 2.8 years, height 183.8 ± 5.8 cm, body mass 86.5 ± 9.3 kg. Results: No significant difference was found in three-repetition maximum (3-RM) barbell split-squat and barbell bench press in pre- and post-game testing (p = 0.05). A significant improvement in number of pull-ups performed post-game was found (p = 0.05). The correlation analysis revealed a moderate relationship between the individual time on ice per game (TOI) and the pre- and post-game testing results difference in the pull-up test (R = 0.52) and a weak relationship between the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the pre- and post-game testing results difference in the barbell split-squat test (R = -0.31). Conclusions: the results of this study indicate that the activity during an ice hockey game does not lead to a change in the expression of strength abilities of ice hockey players. In these conditions, execution of a post-game resistance training session could be an efficient approach for strength abilities development/maintenance and injury prevention.
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