Ice Performance Lab · Tools & Resources
Test the function.
Understand the demands.
Explore 40 assessment options across nine body regions. Combine clinical findings, capacity, movement quality and player-reported function with the demands of returning to hockey.
Assessment options
Head & concussion
A separate medical pathway
SCAT6 / Child SCAT6
Structured acute concussion assessment by a healthcare professional; use the age-appropriate official tool.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Official form, quiet space
Interpretation: A clinical assessment tool, not a pass/fail sports test.
SCOAT6 / Child SCOAT6
Office-based follow-up across symptoms, cognition, neurological findings and relevant clinical domains.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Official form, clinical equipment
Interpretation: Select additional assessments from the clinical presentation.
Vestibular / ocular and tandem-gait assessment
Document symptom provocation, eye-movement findings and single-/dual-task gait as indicated.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Clinical space, appropriate protocol
Interpretation: Interpret alongside cervical and neurological examination.
Graded treadmill or bike assessment
Record symptom response, heart rate and exercise tolerance under clinical supervision.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Treadmill or ergometer, HR monitor
Interpretation: Protocol-specific stopping rules; not an unsupervised maximal test.
Evidence & limits
International consensus supports a multimodal assessment. Neither a normal SCAT result nor an exercise test alone excludes concussion or grants clearance.
Hockey application · editorial adaptation
Return through the concussion-specific progression. Activities with risk of head impact require medical authorisation; symptoms, cognition, balance and exertional response must be considered together.
Region references: [1]
Assessment options
Neck & cervical spine
Clinical assessment before performance testing
Cervical range of motion + neurological examination
Assess movement, symptoms, strength, sensation and relevant neurological signs.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Goniometer/inclinometer, clinical examination
Interpretation: Acute trauma or neurological findings require the appropriate medical pathway.
Cervical isometric strength
Track force in standardised positions when loading is clinically appropriate.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Dynamometer + stable fixation
Interpretation: Use the same position and setup; no universal clearance cut-off.
Deep-neck-flexor / neck endurance assessment
Record holding capacity and movement quality with a selected clinical protocol.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Mat; pressure biofeedback for the CCFT
Interpretation: Endurance is one domain; it does not establish structural safety.
Evidence & limits
Spine and neurological findings determine eligibility for loading. There is no universal hockey-specific cervical RTS test battery.
Hockey application · editorial adaptation
Progress skating posture, visual scanning and later hockey exposure only after the injury has been assessed. Do not use contact as a diagnostic test.
Region references: [2]
Assessment options
Shoulder
Strength · stability · power · confidence
Shoulder ROM + symptom/stability assessment
Record active movement, pain and injury-specific clinical findings.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Goniometer, clinical examination
Interpretation: Diagnostic special tests support diagnosis; they are not a substitute for functional testing.
External / internal rotation dynamometry
Measure rotator-cuff force or torque in a reproducible position.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Fixed handheld dynamometer or isokinetic device
Interpretation: Record absolute values as well as side differences.
CKCUEST
Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test: repeated alternating hand touches from a support position.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Tape, stopwatch, mat
Interpretation: Record contacts and quality using the published protocol; body size and protocol affect results.
Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test
Assess upper-limb support and reach control in three directions.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Y-Balance kit or standardised reach setup
Interpretation: Normalise reach to limb length; do not treat asymmetry as a diagnosis.
Seated Single-Arm Shot-Put Test
Measure unilateral upper-limb throwing distance with trunk movement constrained by the protocol.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Medicine ball, tape measure, wall
Interpretation: Use the same ball and technique; dominance matters.
WOSI / SIRSI (instability) or QuickDASH
Track perceived function and, where relevant, psychological readiness.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Validated questionnaire
Interpretation: Choose a condition-appropriate instrument; do not sum different tools into a clearance score.
Evidence & limits
Consensus and clinical frameworks support several domains. Functional test measurement evidence is growing, but no single battery or cut-off is established for all sports or shoulder injuries.
Hockey application · editorial adaptation
Observe stickhandling, passing and shooting before medically appropriate contact exposure. These are hockey-specific tasks, not validated standalone clearance tests.
Assessment options
Elbow, wrist & hand
Motion · grip · sport-specific handling
Joint ROM + neurovascular / stability examination
Assess elbow and wrist motion, finger function and injury-specific findings.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Goniometer, clinical examination
Interpretation: Healing, tendon integrity and stability may determine progression.
Grip and pinch dynamometry
Record reproducible grip/pinch force and symptom response.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Grip dynamometer, pinch gauge
Interpretation: Dominance and test position influence results; symmetry alone can mislead.
Graded push / pull / forearm-resistance tasks
Observe task tolerance and control after loading is permitted.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Appropriate resistance equipment
Interpretation: A clinician-selected functional assessment, not one standardised validated RTS test.
PRWE (wrist) / QuickDASH
Track patient-perceived pain and function.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Validated questionnaire
Interpretation: Measures perceived disability; does not confirm fracture or ligament healing.
Evidence & limits
Clinical reviews support joint-specific examination, strength and functional loading. Universal RTS thresholds for grip strength and hockey hand function are not established.
Hockey application · editorial adaptation
Progress gripping the stick, puck control, passing and shooting; assess glove use and equipment tolerance according to the injury.
Region references: [5]
Assessment options
Trunk & lumbar spine
Endurance · control · hockey posture
Lumbar movement + neurological examination
Review symptoms, motion and neurological findings where indicated.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Clinical examination; inclinometer if used
Interpretation: Structural pathology and neurological deficits require injury-specific decisions.
Biering-Sørensen test
Assess trunk-extensor holding endurance with a standardised setup.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Treatment table, secure fixation, stopwatch
Interpretation: Use only when appropriate; time alone does not establish readiness.
Side-bridge / trunk-flexor endurance tests
Record holding time, quality and symptom response.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Mat, stopwatch, support setup
Interpretation: Shoulder or hip limitations may affect the result.
Loaded hinge / rotation / anti-rotation tasks
Observe task control and tolerance with an individually chosen progression.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Resistance equipment; video optional
Interpretation: A practical assessment rather than a universal validated test battery.
Evidence & limits
Trunk endurance tests have measurement research. Their performance does not establish spinal healing or a validated hockey return-to-contact threshold.
Hockey application · editorial adaptation
Observe the skating stance, trunk rotation, transitions and repeated hockey tasks. Interpret symptoms and neurological findings before progressing exposure.
Region references: [6]
Assessment options
Hip & groin
Adductor capacity · symptoms · skating demands
Hip ROM + diagnosis-specific groin examination
Assess mobility, symptoms and the relevant groin entities.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Goniometer, clinical examination
Interpretation: Squeeze, FADIR and other provocation findings require clinical interpretation.
Adductor squeeze + unilateral adduction/abduction force
Record symptom response and force with standardised hip angle and setup.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Dynamometer, squeeze sensor or pressure device
Interpretation: Pressure and force are not interchangeable; document the protocol.
Copenhagen adduction capacity
Observe tolerance and repetitions under a specified, supervised loading protocol.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Bench, partner/support, mat
Interpretation: Select lever and load for the rehabilitation stage; no universal pass mark.
HAGOS
Track hip/groin symptoms, activity and participation.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Validated questionnaire
Interpretation: Subscales provide context; the score alone cannot clear sport.
Evidence & limits
A prospective acute-adductor cohort supports criteria-based progression; it does not provide universal thresholds for all groin diagnoses or hockey players.
Hockey application · editorial adaptation
Progress lateral push-off, crossovers, stops and direction changes. Record the response during the session and afterwards; distinguish skater and goalie demands.
Assessment options
Thigh muscles
Hamstring · quadriceps · load tolerance
Length / symptom / contraction assessment
Review pain, range and tolerated contraction in the injured muscle.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Clinical examination
Interpretation: Interpret with injury type and healing stage.
Knee-flexion / extension dynamometry
Measure hamstring and quadriceps force at documented joint angles.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Fixed dynamometer or isokinetic equipment
Interpretation: Account for angle-specific deficits and absolute capacity.
Long-length and eccentric loading assessment
Observe force and tolerance in an appropriate rehabilitation task.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Suitable resistance or eccentric-force equipment
Interpretation: The selected exercise and load must match the injury and stage.
Askling H-test (selected hamstring cases)
Assess symptoms and apprehension during the published rapid-lengthening task.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Clinical setting, trained examiner
Interpretation: Not an early-rehabilitation self-test; limited consensus as a standalone RTS criterion.
Evidence & limits
Hamstring consensus supports individualised strength and progressive sport exposure. Agreement on a single safe RTS test or threshold remains limited; quadriceps criteria are less developed.
Hockey application · editorial adaptation
Progress accelerations, decelerations and repeated skating efforts. Hockey-specific exposure is an application of general rehabilitation principles, not a validated skating test battery.
Region references: [9]
Assessment options
Knee
Strength · landing · repeated effort · readiness
Pain / effusion / ROM / stability assessment
Document joint response and injury-specific examination.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Clinical examination, goniometer
Interpretation: A quiet joint is necessary context but not proof of restored capacity.
Quadriceps / hamstring dynamometry
Measure force or torque in a standardised position and contraction mode.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Fixed dynamometer or isokinetic device
Interpretation: Include absolute/body-mass-related performance, baseline and side comparison.
Single / triple / crossover hop + timed hop
Assess unilateral horizontal performance with a selected standardised battery.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Tape measure, marked space, stopwatch
Interpretation: Distance/time can conceal compensations; inspect landing and movement quality.
Countermovement / drop / single-leg jump
Assess vertical performance and landing characteristics.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Jump mat or force plates; video
Interpretation: A jump mat cannot provide the kinetic data available from force plates.
Single-leg squat / step-down / Y-Balance
Observe movement control or standardised reach performance.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Step, video, Y-Balance setup
Interpretation: These measures complement strength and sport exposure; they are not clearance rules.
IKDC / KOOS; ACL-RSI after ACL injury
Document function and ACL-specific psychological readiness when relevant.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Validated questionnaire
Interpretation: Keep functional scores and psychological readiness as separate domains.
Evidence & limits
The Aspetar ACLR guideline supports multidomain assessment. ACL recommendations must not be transferred unchanged to meniscal, cartilage, patellar or collateral-ligament injuries.
Hockey application · editorial adaptation
Assess skating, stopping, directional changes, repeated shifts and later contact exposure as appropriate. Compare with baseline and position demands, not only the other limb.
Region references: [10]
Assessment options
Ankle, calf & foot
PAASS domains · calf capacity · balance
Weight-Bearing Lunge Test
Measure weight-bearing dorsiflexion with a standardised knee-to-wall or angular protocol.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Tape measure or inclinometer
Interpretation: Document method; mobility alone does not establish readiness.
Single-Leg Heel-Rise Test
Record repetitions, heel-rise height and quality; total work if the setup permits.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Step/flat surface, metronome; measurement device if used
Interpretation: Repetition count can hide reduced heel height.
SEBT / Lower Quarter Y-Balance
Measure dynamic reach control with limb-length normalisation.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Reach grid or Y-Balance kit
Interpretation: Interpret with symptoms, strength and prior performance.
Side-hop / figure-of-eight hop
Assess repeated hopping and directional control when impact is appropriate.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Tape, cones, stopwatch
Interpretation: Protocol matters; inspect confidence and symptom response.
FAAM / CAIT; VISA-A for Achilles tendinopathy
Select a diagnosis-appropriate measure of perceived function or symptoms.
Equipment & interpretation
Equipment: Validated questionnaire
Interpretation: Do not transfer Achilles tendinopathy scores to rupture clearance.
Evidence & limits
PAASS is an expert-consensus framework for lateral ankle sprain and does not set universal pass thresholds. Achilles and calf injuries need their own healing and loading considerations.
Hockey application · editorial adaptation
Observe boot tolerance, edge control, push-off and stopping, then repeated shifts. A supportive skate boot can mask deficits that remain off ice.
Record more than a side-to-side percentage.
Record the protocol, side, absolute result and units, body-mass or limb-length normalisation where appropriate, symptoms, movement quality, baseline and response after loading. Use the same equipment and setup for retesting. A symmetrical result can still reflect two underprepared limbs.
Choose a diagnosis-specific pathway. Clinical tests help establish what is injured; functional tests help describe current capacity. Return to sport also requires healing considerations, sport exposure, confidence and medical judgement. There is no validated single hockey-wide clearance battery.
Sources & scope
- Amsterdam concussion consensus (2023)
- The prevalence and management of stingers (2020)
- Shoulder testing continuum after stabilisation (2022)
- Upper Extremity Return to Sport Functional Testing: systematic review (2026)
- Rehabilitation and Return to Sport Following Elbow Injuries (2022)
- Reliability of four field-based trunk endurance tests: meta-analysis (2020)
- Criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries (2020)
- Doha agreement on groin pain (2015)
- London hamstring consensus: rehabilitation and return to sport (2023)
- Aspetar ACLR rehabilitation guideline (2023)
- PAASS ankle return-to-sport framework (2021)
- Rehabilitation and return to sports after Achilles repair (2024)
The references support assessment domains and selected tests, not every hockey adaptation or a universal minimum score. Questionnaire forms and official concussion tools are not reproduced here. Use the original authorised versions and their protocols.
Compiled 2 October 2026 · Editorial selection by Ice Performance Lab · Educational reference for professional assessment