PSYCHOLOGIC, SITUATIONAL, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABLES AND ON-ICE PERFORMANCE OF YOUTH HOCKEY GOALKEEPERS

Objective: To determine the relationship between psychologic, situatio nal, and physiologic variables and on-ice performance of youth hockey goalkeepers. Design: This study was structured to identify relationshi ps and predictors of goalie performance. Material and Methods: Because athletes playing solo positions in team sports have not been analyzed in depth in terms of precompetition anxiety and because goalkeeper pe rformance is critical to game outcome, we undertook a study of 43 goal ies at a hockey camp, These goalies completed psychometric inventories to assess trait and state anxiety, confidence, life stress, and socia l support, Holter monitors measured heart rate while the goalies rotat ed through on-ice stations, Goalies were videotaped at the puck-shooti ng machine station, and performance (percent saves) was calculated. Re sults: Trait (somatic) anxiety and positive mood state (ability to sha re) had different but significant relationships with on-ice performanc e, Heart rates ranged from 88 to 208 beats/min at the on-ice stations, Mean heart rate for older goalies (14 to 18 years of age) was 164 bea ts/min at the puck-shooting machine and 176 beats/min at other station s such as the slap-shot station. Conclusion: Older goalies performed w ell at a high level of arousal, Better performing goalies were more ex perienced, had faster heart rates ''in the net,'' and had lower scores on all measures of anxiety.