Firstbeat Technology Helps Optimize Training and Performance of German Ice Hockey Teams

The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) and Firstbeat have been in close partnership for many years, with the Federation utilizing the athlete performance management platform to optimize the training and development of their national teams.

Taking a data-driven approach using Firstbeat helps the German teams optimize training for competitions such as this year’s U18 World Championships and the Women’s World Championships.

U18 Men’s Team: Tailored Training for Peak Performance

Kondi Coach Christian Bachmann detailed how Firstbeat has been integrated into the U18 men’s team’s preparation. “We’ve used Firstbeat extensively in the area of workload management,” said Bachmann. “Together with the coaching team, we discussed how intense training sessions should or could be. Based on these discussions, we prepared each training session, reviewed it afterward, and assessed how satisfied we were with the on-ice intensity.”

This approach allows for individualized workload adjustments, enhancing each player’s training efficiency. “With Firstbeat, we were able to adjust the workload individually to each player’s performance level. This meant that some players did a bit more, while others did slightly less. It has helped us to always be fit at the right time,” Bachmann explained.

Bachmann also highlighted the long-term benefits of Firstbeat data for younger players. “The workload management also plays an important role here, as it shows how much a player can and should be exerted to achieve certain training goals. The positive aspect of Firstbeat is that you can not only provide individual support and guidance to each athlete, but also that each one receives a personalized training plan based on the analyzed data.”

Women’s Team: Strategic Performance and Recovery Management

Jenny Harss, Kondi Coach for the DEB women’s team, explained the role Firstbeat plays during camps and tournaments. “We are using Firstbeat mainly during camps and tournaments for the on-ice training and games to look at performance and recovery.”

Harss underscored the importance of understanding the demands on athletes and using this data to plan effectively. “Firstbeat helps me and the coaching staff to get an idea how hard practices and games are for players and also to plan the next days during a tournament, especially the days in between game days,” she said.

This data is instrumental in managing the players’ workload during high-intensity periods, such as the recent World Championships in Utica, USA, where the team played six games in ten days.

Moreover, Harss believes that the long-term development of players benefits significantly from this data. “The goal is to also implement it for the younger age groups,” she added. “We want to use that information for the time leading up to the next important event.”

The integration of Firstbeat technology plays an important role in how the DEB coaching staff prepares and manages their teams. By providing detailed insights into individual performance and recovery, this technology ensures that men’s and women’s teams in addition to youth teams are not only prepared for the next big tournament but are also developing players in a structured, data-informed manner for long-term success.

Want to learn more about how to utilize Firstbeat in ice hockey to optimize training and performance? Watch our webinar with the NHL’s Matt Harder here.