Modelling the development of physical qualities in UK youth male ice hockey players by chronological and biological age

Ice hockey in the United Kingdom (UK) spans from grassroots participation to elite and international levels, yet limited data exists on the physical development of youth players. This study aimed to model the development of off-ice, physical performance measures in UK-based male youth ice hockey players, according to both chronological (CA) and biological age (BA). A total of 347 players (mean age 13.7 ± 1.4 years) from U12 to U16 age groups, attending a national showcase event, completed off-ice assessments including anthropometrics, countermovement jump, seated medicine ball throw, 20 m sprint, and pro-agility test. Generalized additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS), with penalized B-splines, were used to the non-linear developmental trajectories between 11 and 16.5 years and derive centile curves for both CA and BA. Results demonstrated a general trend of higher physical performance with increasing CA, while analysis, based on BA, revealed a concentrated period of development between ∼12.5 and 15 years. These findings highlight the non-linear nature of physical development and the importance of accounting for biological maturation in youth athlete assessment. This study provides the first descriptive dataset for competitive UK youth male ice hockey players, offering valuable insights into age and maturity-related performance trends. The reference values support more equitable talent identification and development strategies, aligning with national governing body objectives.