A new study led by Dr. Tom Johnston at Edinburgh Napier University is set to investigate the physiological demands of walking hockey, a variant of the sport designed for participants who cannot run or play traditional hockey. The project is backed by a €2,000 grant from the EuroHockey Institute and aims to address a noticeable gap in scientific literature where walking hockey has been largely overlooked compared to its football counterpart.
Science Meets Community Sport
Walking hockey, played at a walking pace, offers a way for injured athletes, older adults, and those managing health conditions to stay engaged with the sport, providing social interaction and enjoyment while maintaining cardiovascular fitness. The inspiration for the project came from the Inverleith Walking Hockey Club in Edinburgh, where Johnston observed the sport’s growing community and recognized its untapped research potential.
Using GPS tracking devices, the team will monitor movement patterns and physical output during sessions, generating data that could inform coaches, health professionals, and organizations such as Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland about the sport’s health benefits. This methodology mirrors approaches used in walking football research, where vascular health and dementia reduction have been documented, but walking hockey has yet to be systematically studied.
The findings are expected to create an evidence base that may influence physical activity recommendations, helping to promote walking hockey as a preventive and rehabilitative activity for people recovering from cardiac events or looking to stay active later in life. By quantifying the sport’s physiological impact, the research could guide coaches, clubs, and health providers in integrating walking hockey into broader health initiatives.