What does fact checked mean?
At SportsRec, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Harvard Heart Letter: Calories Burned in 30 Minutes for People of Three Different Weights
- Journal of Human Kinetics: Game Intensity Analysis of Elite Adolescent Ice Hockey Players
- Journal of Human Kinetics: Game Intensity Analysis of Elite Adolescent Ice Hockey Players
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
How Many Calories Are Burned in a Game of Hockey?
A sport for highly skilled athletes, ice hockey requires a combination of aerobic and anaerobic fitness. The game is split into 3 periods of 20 minutes each, with frequent moments of high intensity. A study in the December 2014 issue of the "Journal of Human Kinetics" showed that, on average, the time a player spends in the high-intensity zone during a hockey game is less than half of the total game time, varying from 15 minutes for forwards to 18.5 minutes for defensemen.
Crunching the Numbers
Calorie burn depends on many factors, including body weight. For example, a person weighing 125 lbs can expect to burn approximately 475 calories after playing hockey for one hour, while a person weighing 190 can expect a burn of about 700 calories per hour.
Calories burned are similar for field hockey, according to a July 2004 issue of the "Harvard Heart Letter."
Although an average hockey game lasts 60 minutes, only about 25 percent of that time is actually spent playing and actively burning calories. Because hockey has high-intensity intervals, however, the calorie burn continues well after the athlete is finished playing.
References
- Harvard Heart Letter: Calories Burned in 30 Minutes for People of Three Different Weights
- Journal of Human Kinetics: Game Intensity Analysis of Elite Adolescent Ice Hockey Players
- State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services: Calories Burned per Hour
- Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards: Military Police Basic Training Program
Writer Bio
Renda Hawwa started writing professionally in 2005. She has written scientific publications detailing experimental procedures, results and analysis. Her work is published in the Journal of Molecular Biology, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Pediatric Pulmonology. Dr. Hawwa holds a Doctor of Philosophy in medicinal chemistry from University of Illinois at Chicago.