Prevalence and intent of aggressive behaviors in elite women's ice hockey

There has been a substantial amount of research on aggression in men's ice hockey. Although there is some research on aggression in women's ice hockey, there is still a noticeable absence of empirical research on various aspects of aggression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and intent of aggressive behaviors in university women's ice hockey. Two methods of data acquisition were used: systematic observation (measured prevalence) and stimulated recall interviews (measured intent). Results revealed the presence of several aggressive techniques, such as body checking, punching, pushing, and cross checking. Several reasons for these aggressive behaviors emerged from the analysis, including frustration, intimidation, and protection. These findings augment the literature on aggression in women's ice hockey, providing insight on the prevalence as well as the mechanisms influencing aggressive behaviors