New study: Dynamic Blade Holder Improves Ice Hockey Players´ Performance

Ice hockey places high demands on both explosive speed and quick changes of direction. Traditional blade holders, where the skate blade is sharpened with different radius, involve a compromise between higher speed with limited manoeuvrability and increased manoeuvrability at the expense of speed. To address this challenge, Marsblade has developed a dynamic blade holder.

In this study, elite players tested a dynamic blade holder and a traditional fixed holder during sprint distances ranging from 5 to 40 meters. The researchers’ analysis revealed that the dynamic blade holder significantly enhanced backward skating speed compared to traditional designs.

– The study demonstrates a measurable improvement in speed and finish time during backward skating, between 1 and 2 percent, which can be crucial in game situations. These findings align with previous reports from elite athletes, who have experienced increased acceleration and velocity, says Henrik Petré, senior lecturer and PhD in sports science.

The Dynamic Blade Holder Is Now Being Scientifically Tested

Ice hockey players use the dynamic blade holder in several professional leagues, including the NHL. Parts of Sweden's national team at the World Championship 2025 also used this technology during the tournament.

The growing use has created a need for scientific studies that investigate the effects of dynamic blade holders in real, sport-specific contexts. Therefore, in 2024 GIH and Marsblade initiated this research collaboration to evaluate the dynamic blade holder's function and effect on performance and injury prevention.

– This type of technological innovation shows how equipment design can influence sports performance. It demonstrates how thoughtful engineering translates into measurable gains on the field, says Petré.

The research project is ongoing, and the next study will employ mathematical modelling to analyze the geometric design and mechanical properties of the dynamic blade holder. The objective is to provide deeper insights into how the technology influences the biomechanics of skating, with particular attention to both performance enhancement and injury prevention.

Read the scientific article here:

Velocity profiles of high-calibre ice hockey players: a comparison between fixed and dynamic skating blade holders External link, opens in new window.

Read more about our research project External link..

Fact Box: The Technology Behind It

Ice hockey is a high-intensity sport that requires the athlete to be able to accelerate and reach high speed in several different skating techniques and technical game-like demands, such as skating straight forward, straight back, cross-over, turns, and stop and start. The geometry of ice hockey skates plays a critical role in a player's ability to generate force against the ice during various movement patterns.

One key parameter influencing this interaction is the foot angle relative to the ice surface, the skate pitch angle. The curvature of the blade, which is usually shaped into a specific radius during sharpening, is the primary determinant of pitch angle.

• A larger radius of curvature results in reduced pitch variation and increased ice contact, which enhances speed due to improved glide but may compromise manoeuvrability.
• A smaller radius increases pitch variability and manoeuvrability but may reduce speed, as the blade penetrates the ice more deeply, generating greater plowing resistance. The choice of radius, therefore, represents a compromise between two opposing qualities: speed and maneuverability.
  

To overcome this limitation, Marsblade has developed a dynamic blade which features a radius rocker, placed between the blade and the holder, allowing greater variation in pitch angle without affecting the blade ice contact.