Quantifying the effects of ice hockey upper-body pads on mobility and comfort

Ice hockey is a high-intensity sport in which ice hockey pads, such as shoulder and elbow pads (S/EPs), are necessary to help players avoid injury. However, these pads could also affect mobility and comfort, thereby affecting players’ on-ice performance. In this study, we aimed to quantify the effect of S/EPs on mobility and comfort by comparing the range of motion (ROM) collected from nine elite college-level ice hockey players performing static (nine single-DOF upper-body movements) and dynamic (wrist and slap shots) tasks under six pad conditions (no S/EPs and five types of S/EPs). We also analyzed the relationship between ROM and subjective comfort to provide an objective and accurate comfort evaluation of ice hockey pads.