Some of the greatest advancements in how ice hockey is played today are largely driven by modern ice hockey sticks – often engineered with leading carbon fibre technology – which allows for maximal energy storage and increased shot speeds compared to traditional wooden sticks.
Quantifying the performance of both the player and the hockey stick is feasible using biomechanical techniques in a lab setting. Yet, how players perceive sticks and how these perceptions link to performance is still largely unknown. Perception methods have been explored in a range of industries to train individuals to more accurately self-describe products (e.g a wine sommelier).
Taking a similar approach in ice hockey will allow for the development of an “ice hockey stick sommelier” capable of providing reliable subjective feedback which can be linked to measures of stick properties and hockey performance. Understanding these relationships will lead to improved stick design in future.
This 3-year research project is sponsored by CCM, a leading manufacturer of ice hockey equipment. It is envisaged that the project will be carried out at the Sports Technology Institute at Loughborough University in the UK as well as within the laboratories of CCM in Montreal.
The Sports Technology Institute has a long history of successful research collaborations with global companies and Loughborough University is currently ranked the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the global QS higher education league table. The CCM Performance Lab is a state-of-the-art research facility which is used to develop data-driven products for the market and provide customized stick fittings to help CCM endorsed athletes improve their game.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Jon Roberts
Entry requirements for United Kingdom
The project will appeal to students interested in studying athlete-equipment interactions using a range of sensory evaluation techniques, objective measurements and advanced data analytics to relate quantitative measures with subjective feedback.
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline; a suitable master’s degree and/or experience in a relevant subject would be desirable.
As this is a multi-disciplinary topic, relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to, sport and exercise sciences, physical sciences, engineering, human factors, ergonomics, maths or computer science. The successful candidate will combine a passion for sport with strong technical, analytical and experimental skills. They will need to be capable of working independently as well as communicating effectively with players and collaborators. Knowledge and/or experience of the sport of ice hockey is, therefore, essential.
English language requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.
How to apply
All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select 'Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering' and quote the advert reference number ‘FP-JR-2023’ under the financial support section of the application.
Please submit a CV and the minimum supporting documents by the advert closing date. Failure to do so will mean that your application cannot be taken forward for consideration.
Apply now
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