🏒Many hockey players and team members dream to participate in an official outdoor game. Good preparation for unique challenges of this event will allow to get pleasant memories for a lifetime.

🌡Taking into account that muscle temperature and performance are interrelated [1], the maintenance of core temperature is crucial to performance in cold environments. Covering the cheeks, nose, and neck will enhance thermal comfort, especially in windy conditions [2]. During an outdoor hockey game the players who regularly appear on-ice can maintain sufficient core temperature to cope with cold conditions and perform well [3]. At risk are the players that get little ice time, as temperature of the body declines fast if the clothing is wet and not enough high-intensity activity is present [3]. 👕The choice of underwear becomes crucial. The best choice is underwear that has the following characteristics [4]:
- good ease of wicking action;
- high rate of drying;
- high capacitance for “moisture regain (the amount of moisture a material can absorb before it feels cold).
❌Cotton underwear is the worst choice as it readily absorbs and maintains moisture and is difficult to dry [5].
From my own experience, freezing toes can become another serious distraction. Putting plastic bags on the feet under the skates allows you to effectively cope with this problem.
Goalies have their own unique challenges. During outdoor games their pads can become stiff. Goaltenders who have played several games outdoors, recommend flexing their pads hard before going on ice, which allows to keep them in a comfortable shape.

☀️The game on a sunny day raises the mood, but sunlight brings an additional problem, as glare blurs athletes’ vision. 😎The popular eye black marks can be used in order to reduce this effect. De Broff and Pack confirmed effectiveness of eye black grease, which in contrast to stickers and petroleum jelly, provides antiglare properties and reduces reflected light [6].

🚰Water balance is another tool that can have an impact on performance during outdoor competitions in winter. As temperature reductions may blunt the sensation of thirst, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends to consume 5-7 mL/kg body weight of water 4 hours pre-game [7]. During the game, gradual intake 0.4-0.8 L of water (temperature 25-30 degrees C) and 30-60 g of carbohydrate are helpful to prevent dehydration, maintain blood glucose levels, and sustain performance [7, 8].

It would be interesting to read in comments about your experience!

Thank You for reading!

References:
1. Racinais S., Oksa J. Temperature and neuromuscular function.
2. Makinen T., Gavhed D., Holmer I., Rintamaki H. Thermal responses to cold wind of thermoneutral and cooled subjects.
3. Castellani, JW, Young, AJ. Health and performance challenges during sports training and competition in cold weather.
4. Georgiades E. Physiological and Perceptual Responses to Exercise and Cold Stress with Special Reference to Climatic and Textile Factors.
5. Bubnis, MA, Hulsopple, C. Human Performance and injury prevention in cold weather environments.
6. De Broff, BM, Pahk, PJ. The Ability of Periorbitally Applied Antiglare Products to Improve Contrast Sensitivity in Conditions of Sunlight Exposure
7. Sawka MN, Burke LM, Eichner ER, et al. American College of Sports Medicine. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and fluid replacement.
8. Rintamaki, H, et al. Water balance and physical performance in cold.