EuroHockey Institute To Support Research Into Physiological Demands Of Walking Hockey

Walking hockey is growing steadily across Europe. For many, it offers a way to stay involved in the sport after they have stepped away from the traditional game, whether because of injury concerns, age, fitness levels, or simply changing priorities.

Yet despite its increasing popularity, there is limited scientific research about what walking hockey actually demands of those who play it and the benefits it can offer.

That gap in knowledge is what inspired Edinburgh Napier University lecturer and researcher Dr Tom Johnston to begin a new study into the physiological demands of walking hockey, supported by a €2,000 EuroHockey Institute Academic Research Grant.

For Johnston, the project sits at the intersection of two long-standing passions: hockey and research.

“I’m a hockey player, coach, hockey coach educator, and I’ve been around hockey teams of all levels for the last 25 years or so,” he explained.

Alongside his coaching career, Johnston has built an academic background that includes a PhD focused on non-contact injuries in hockey.

Through that work, he became increasingly aware that many people eventually move away from competitive sport, not because they lose their love for it, but because the physical demands become difficult to balance with everyday life.

“People do get injured or stop playing or withdraw completely or partially because of the fear of injuries,” he said. “Some people just want to play in a way that is suitable for them. It fits their lifestyle but keeps them involved somehow.”

That is where walking hockey comes in.

Walking hockey is growing steadily across Europe. For many, it offers a way to stay involved in the sport after they have stepped away from the traditional game, whether because of injury concerns, age, fitness levels, or simply changing priorities.
Yet despite its increasing popularity, there is limited scientific research about what walking hockey actually demands of those who play it and the benefits it can offer.
That gap in knowledge is what inspired Edinburgh Napier University lecturer and researcher Dr Tom Johnston to begin a new study into the physiological demands of walking hockey, supported by a €2,000 EuroHockey Institute Academic Research Grant.

“Like other walking sports, it allows people to continue and it keeps the element of fun involved and enjoyment, as well as the socialisation,” Johnston said.

The idea for the research emerged after he became involved with Inverleith Walking Hockey Club in Edinburgh.

“I got involved with a club in Edinburgh that has a walking hockey section and I thought that would be quite interesting,” he recalled.

“I’ve heard a lot about walking football and I’ve heard a lot about people needing to continue to take part in physical activity. I started exploring it from there.”

What he found surprised him.

“I started thinking there’s no information at all on how strenuous it is, what exactly is involved.”

That absence of evidence matters because walking hockey is increasingly being viewed as a way for people to remain active later in life or after health issues.

Johnston believes better information could help coaches, clubs and health professionals understand where walking hockey fits within the wider physical activity landscape.

“For people recovering from a cardiac episode, whether it be a heart attack or angina, they think: what can I do to stop this happening again and increase my cardiovascular health?” he said.

“I want walking hockey to be part of the list of things people can do after rehabilitation finishes.”

While there is growing research around the benefits of walking football, Johnston found that walking hockey remains largely unexplored academically.

“I’ve done some desktop research and I’ve come across no scientifically conducted research that’s been published into this area,” he said.

There has been some work examining the psychological benefits of participation, but Johnston believes understanding the physical demands is the essential first step.

The study itself is designed to answer that foundational question. Following ethical approval, Johnston will work with existing walking hockey players, asking participants to wear GPS tracking devices during normal sessions….

CONTINUE READING at source: https://eurohockey.org/eurohockey-institute-to-support-research-into-physiological-demands-of-walking-hockey

#walkinghockey #walkingsports #walkingsport

Looking for the right gear? Browse our recommended walking sports shoes & gearBrowse Recommendations →As an Amazon Associate, Walking Football Limited earns from qualifying purchases. These are independently selected products from other sellers, not our own brand.