What is the body mass index of hockey players?

Answer 1

Hockey players typically have more muscle mass than other athletes in high cardo sports. The typical BMI index for obesity would not apply.

Other sports such as track & field's SHOT PUT, DISCUS or JAVELIN would also have a higher BMI number due to the muscle necessary to hurl objects of varying weight a great distance. Most Olympic gold metal winners in these events have high BMI numbers yet low body fat ratios.

Hockey players are required to have BOTH foot speed and strenght necessary to over power an opponent for control of the puck. Physical contact is a major part of the game. The higher muscle ratio provides strenght necessary to compete for puck control and stabilizes joints during physical contact thereby lessening the chance of an injury.

While Football has both individual speed and power positions, Hockey is unique in that all players must have both foot speed and muscle mass to be effective.

The higher muscle mass distorts the BMI index for Hockey players by an estimated 8 - 12%.