Marta Polewka

Ms. Marta Polewka

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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5 June 2026 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Robert RoczniokRobert Roczniok
Robert Roczniok
PWPiotr Wiśniewski
Piotr Wiśniewski
HZHanna Wanda Zielonka
Hanna Wanda Zielonka
MPMarta Polewka
Marta Polewka
DMDaria Manilewska
Daria Manilewska
Artur TerbalyanArtur Terbalyan
Artur Terbalyan
Background: Shooting velocity is a critical determinant of competitive success in ice hockey, yet evidence for the use of weighted-implement training in high-level junior players is limited and the long-term retention of such adaptations has not been documented. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of off-ice shooting training performed with a heavy (260 g) versus a regular (170 g) puck on on-ice shooting velocity, accuracy and handgrip strength in junior players, and to examine the retention of these changes. Methods: Twenty male junior ice hockey players (18–19 years) were randomly allocated to a Heavy-puck group (n = 10) or a Regular-puck group (n = 10) and completed an identical six-week off-ice shooting programme (18 sessions, 100 shots per session) with their respective pucks. On-ice wrist-shot and snap-shot speed (radar; standard 170 g puck for both groups), on-ice shooting accuracy and bilateral handgrip strength were assessed before the intervention (pre-test), immediately after six weeks (post 6 weeks) and after a six-week retention period of normal on-ice training (post 12 weeks). Data were analysed with 2 × 3 mixed-model ANOVA with Bonferroni-corrected post hoc comparisons. Results: A significant Group × Time interaction was found for wrist-shot speed (ηp2 = 0.61), snap-shot speed (ηp2 = 0.78), left-hand handgrip strength (ηp2 = 0.30) and shooting accuracy (ηp2 = 0.24). The Heavy-puck group displayed substantially larger velocity gains at both post 6 weeks (wrist shot d = 2.97; snap shot d = 4.73) and post 12 weeks (d = 2.56 and d = 3.21, respectively). Left-hand handgrip strength gain was also greater in the Heavy-puck group at post 12 weeks (d = 1.40). A short-term cost on accuracy was observed in the Heavy-puck group at post 6 weeks (d = −1.21), which was fully recovered at post 12 weeks. Conclusions: Heavy-puck off-ice training produced large and durable improvements in on-ice puck velocity, with a transient and recoverable cost on accuracy, supporting its inclusion in the off-ice preparation of junior ice hockey players.