🏆 The idea of gaining an additional advantage over opponents by applying pre-competition priming strategies is very attractive. Studies indicate that different types of physical exercises are used in the strength & conditioning field to achieve this goal, including plyometric training [1, 2]. 🗓The question is which training modality to use and when to apply it to achieve the best performance possible? I used to order plyometric training the day before the game (=30 hours.🔋 As we know from the research by Platonov [3], medium volume of explosive physical activity leads to speed enhancement the next day). But this summer I heard in one of the podcasts that Matt Price, the director of strength and performance science of the LA Kings, applies plyometrics in the morning of the game day.💡 The idea seemed to me brilliant. ⚡️ It is supported by series of studies, where it is shown, that morning exercise leads to substantial performance improvements in the competition held in the evening [4, 5, 6]. 🏒Probably, this might be one of the reasons why the morning ice session is so widespread in professional hockey [7].
In this study I’m trying to find the answer to the question, which training modality is more efficient for my team.

Methods
Subjects: 30 professional hockey players of the VHL (25.7±4.9 years old, height 183,7±6.0 cm, weight 86,0±6.5 kg, fat 9.7±1.3 %).
Testing: CMJ on the JustJump Mat was used as an evaluation tool of neuromuscular readiness of the athletes [8].
Study design and Results
A) Effects of Morning Plyometric Workout VS Ice Session on the Game Day. Results: +4.55% ↑ applying Plyometric VS +3.53% ↑ using Ice Session (no statistically significant difference at 0.05 significance level)
B) Effects of Plyometric Workout VS Core Workout the Day before the Game. Results: +2.60% ↑ using Plyometric VS +3.38% ↑ applying Core Training (no significant difference at 0.05).
In both cases the difference % between defencemen is broader than between forwards, but still not significant.

Thank you for reading!

References:
1. Holmberg, PM, et al. Factors modulating the priming response to resistance and stretch-shortening cycle exercise stimuli.
2. Flanagan, E. The gamely primer: principles and practices.
3. Platonov, VN. Specific physical preparation of elite swimmers [in Russian].
4. Ingham, SA, et al. Improvement of 800-m running performance with prior high intensity exercise.
5. Ekstrand, LG, et al.  Assessing  explosive  power production using the backward overhead shot throw and the effects of morning resistance exercise on afternoon performance.
6. Cook, CJ, Kilduff, LP, West, DJ. Morning based strength training improves afternoon physical performance in rugby union players.
7. Brocherie, F, Perez, J. Debunking the myth of morning skate on game day.
8. Alba-Jimenez, C, et al. Trends assessing neuromuscular fatigue in team sports: a narrative review.