Indian hockey is generating buzz not just for their performance on the field, but also for their exceptional fitness levels, with claims putting them ahead of even the celebrated cricketers. Fueling this discussion is Hardik Singh, the Indian men's hockey team's vice-captain and midfielder, who recently highlighted the superior fitness of hockey players compared to cricketers.
Singh pointed to the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (YYIR) scores, a widely recognized benchmark for athlete endurance, to support his claim. He revealed that while a score of 19 or 20 on the Yo-Yo test is considered excellent in cricket, Indian hockey players consistently score around 23. To put this in perspective, star cricketer Virat Kohli, known for his fitness, has a Yo-Yo test score of 17.2, which surpasses the team's minimum requirement of 16.5.
Hardik elaborated on the structure of the YYIR test, explaining that it commences at level 15 with eight sprints, gradually increasing in difficulty up to the final level of 23.8. He proudly stated that seven members of the men's hockey team have achieved this peak level. Moreover, even the team's goalkeeper, PR Sreejesh, scores around 21 on the Yo-Yo test.
Interestingly, the fitness levels extend beyond the men's team. Hardik noted that the junior girls' hockey team also demonstrates impressive endurance, with Yo-Yo Test scores hovering around 17-18, comparable to Kohli's score.
These revelations have sparked discussions, especially considering the perception of cricketers as the fittest athletes in India. However, Chinmoy Roy, a former trainer at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), suggests that direct comparisons based solely on the Yo-Yo Test may be unfair. He explained that while both sports utilize a version of the Yo-Yo test, the protocols differ to suit the specific demands of each sport. Hockey and football employ an intermittent endurance test with minimal recovery time, whereas cricket uses an intermittent recovery test.
Roy also pointed out that cricket is a stop-start sport, with the longest continuous action typically being a sprint for three runs, which takes approximately nine seconds. This contrasts with the continuous running and high-intensity bursts required in hockey.
Despite the nuances in fitness requirements, Hardik Singh's statements have undoubtedly cast a spotlight on the remarkable fitness levels of Indian hockey players. It highlights the dedication and rigorous training regimes that contribute to their success on the international stage. The Indian men's hockey team will next be seen in action in a two-match series against Germany in Delhi on October 23 and 24.
