Relationships between physiological characteristics and match demands in elite-level male field hockey players

This study investigated the physical characteristics, match demands and their relationships in elite-level male field hockey players (n = 23; 24 ± 3 years). Testing data were collected to investigate the physiological profiles of the players, while match demands were quantified with GPS data over 26 matches. There were significant differences (p = <0.05) between positional groups for pull ups, relative and absolute lower body strength, and body composition. Average total match distance for all the players was (5420 ± 1518 m). There were significant differences between positional groups for defenders (5770 ± 1419 m) vs strikers (4739 ± 1409 m) and midfielders (5549 ± 1545 m) vs strikers. The most high-speed-running (>4.5 ms−1) distance was covered by midfielders (950 ± 275 m) and strikers (908 ± 284 m). Midfielders (116 ± 15 m min) and strikers (120 ± 20 m min) achieved higher intensities during matches compared to defenders (105 ± 13 m min). There were small differences between positional groups for physiological variables, but large variation between positional groups for match demands. There was a significant negative relationship between 2.4 km time trial vs high-speed running (p = <0.05), player load.min and match speed (p = <0.001). Also, there was a negative association between repeat sprint ability total time and high-speed running distance (p = <0.02) and match speed (p = <0.02). The countermovement jump height was associated with match speed (p = <0.05) and there was a negative relationship between body fat % and match speed (p = <0.02). When considering key performance indicators while using GPS devices, match speed (m.min) provides the most valuable information in field hockey players.

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Caffeinated Energy Drinks Improve High-Speed Running in Elite Field Hockey Players

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism ◽

10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0128 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 26-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Juan Del Coso ◽

Javier Portillo ◽

Juan José Salinero ◽

Beatriz Lara ◽

Javier Abian-Vicen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

High Intensity ◽

High Speed ◽

Energy Drinks ◽

Energy Drink ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Field Hockey ◽

Hockey Players ◽

Gps Devices ◽

Placebo Drink

The aim of this investigation was to determine the efficacy of a caffeine-containing energy drink to improve physical performance of elite field hockey players during a game. On 2 days separated by a week, 13 elite field hockey players (age and body mass = 23.2 ± 3.9 years and 76.1 ± 6.1 kg) ingested 3 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass in the form of an energy drink or the same drink without caffeine (placebo drink). After 60 min for caffeine absorption, participants played a simulated field hockey game (2 × 25 min). Individual running pace and instantaneous speed during the game were assessed using GPS devices. The total number of accelerations and decelerations was determined by accelerometry. Compared with the placebo drink, the caffeinated energy drink did not modify the total distance covered during the game (6,035 ± 451 m and 6,055 ± 499 m, respectively; p = .87), average heart rate (155 ± 13 beats per min and 158 ± 18 beats per min, respectively; p = .46), or the number of accelerations and decelerations (697 ± 285 and 618 ± 221, respectively; p = .15). However, the caffeinated energy drink reduced the distance covered at moderate-intensity running (793 ± 135 and 712 ± 116, respectively; p = .03) and increased the distance covered at high-intensity running (303 ± 67 m and 358 ± 117 m; p = .05) and sprinting (85 ± 41 m and 117 ± 55 m, respectively; p = .02). Elite field hockey players can benefit from ingesting caffeinated energy drinks because they increase the running distance covered at high-intensity running and sprinting. Increased running distance at high speed might represent a meaningful advantage for field hockey performance.

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Effect of Changing Match Format from Halves to Quarters on the Performance Characteristics of Male University Field Hockey Players

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21165490 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (16) ◽

pp. 5490

Author(s):

Elliot P. Lam ◽

Caroline D. Sunderland ◽

John G. Morris ◽

Laura-Anne M. Furlong ◽

Barry S. Mason ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

High Speed ◽

National Level ◽

Performance Characteristics ◽

Field Hockey ◽

Heart Rate Monitors ◽

Total Distance ◽

Random Intercept ◽

Hockey Players ◽

The Uk

The study examined whether the performance characteristics of male university field hockey players differed when the match format was 2 × 35 min halves compared to 2 × 2 × 17.5 min quarters. Thirty-five male university field hockey players (age 21.2 ± 3.0 years, height 1.81 ± 0.07 m, body mass 75.1 ± 8.9 kg), competing at national level in the UK, were monitored over 52 matches played across the 2018–2019 (2 × 35 min halves) and 2019–2020 (2 × 2 × 17.5 min quarters) seasons using 15 Hz Global Positioning System units and heart rate monitors. Total distance, high-speed running distance (≥15.5 km·h−1), accelerations (≥2 m·s−1), decelerations (≤−2 m·s−1), average heart rate and percentage of time spent at >85% of maximum heart rate were recorded during both match formats. Two-level random intercept hierarchal models (Match—level 1, Player—level 2) suggested that the change in format from 2 × 35 min halves (2018–2019 season) to 2 × 2 × 17.5 min quarters (2019–2020 season) resulted in a reduction in total distance and high-speed running distance completed during a match (by 221 m and 120 m, respectively, both p < 0.001). As no significant cross-level interactions were observed (between season and half), the change from 35 min halves to 17.5 min quarters did not attenuate the reduced physical performance evident during the second half of matches (total distance: −235 m less in second half; high-speed running distance: −70 m less in second half; both p < 0.001). Overall, the findings suggest that the change in match format did alter the performance characteristics of male university field hockey players, but the quarter format actually reduced the total distance and high-speed running distance completed during matches, and did not attenuate the reduction in performance seen during the second half of matches.

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International Field Hockey Players Perform More High-Speed Running Than National-Level Counterparts

The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research ◽

10.1519/jsc.0b013e31822e5913 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 947-952 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Denise H. Jennings ◽

Stuart J. Cormack ◽

Aaron J. Coutts ◽

Robert J. Aughey

Keyword(s):

High Speed ◽

National Level ◽

Field Hockey ◽

Hockey Players

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Volume and Intensity of Locomotor Activity in International Men's Field Hockey Matches Over a 2-Year Period

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living ◽

10.3389/fspor.2021.653364 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Carl A. James ◽

Oliver R. Gibson ◽

Aishwar Dhawan ◽

Craig M. Stewart ◽

Ashley G. B. Willmott

Keyword(s):

High Speed ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

International Competition ◽

Intensity Data ◽

Field Hockey ◽

Time Data ◽

Average Speed ◽

Speed Range ◽

Playing Time ◽

Physical Preparation

The locomotor demands of international men's field hockey matches were investigated across positions (DEF, MID, FWD) and playing quarters. Volume (i.e., total values) and intensity (i.e., relative to playing time) data were collected using 10-Hz GPS/100-Hz accelerometer units from the #11 world-ranked (WR) team, during 71 matches, against 24 opponents [WR 12 ± 11 (range, 1–60)]. Mean ± SD team total distance (TD) was 4,861 ± 871 m, with 25% (1,193 ± 329 m) “high-speed running” (>14.5 km h−1) and 8% (402 ± 144 m) “sprinting” (>19.0 km h−1). Reduced TD (range, −3 to 4%) and average speed (range, −3.4 to 4.7%) occurred through subsequent quarters, vs. Q1 (p < 0.05). A “large” negative relationship (r = −0.64) was found between playing duration and average speed. Positional differences (p < 0.05) were identified for all volume metrics including; playing duration (DEF, 45:50 ± 8:00 min; MID, 37:37 ± 7:12 min; FWD, 33:32 ± 6:22 min), TD (DEF, 5,223 ± 851 m; MID, 4,945 ± 827 m; FWD, 4,453 ± 741 m), sprinting distance (DEF, 315 ± 121 m; MID, 437 ± 144 m; FWD, 445 ± 129 m), and acceleration efforts (>2 m s−2; DEF, 48 ± 12; MID, 51 ± 11; FWD, 50 ± 14). Intensity variables similarly revealed positional differences (p < 0.05) but with a different pattern between positions; average speed (DEF, 115 ± 10 m min−1; MID, 132 ± 10 m min−1; FWD, 134 ± 15 m min−1), sprinting (DEF, 7 ± 3 m min−1; MID, 12 ± 4 m min−1; FWD, 14 ± 4 m min−1), and accelerations (DEF, 1.1 ± 0.3 n min−1; MID, 1.4 ± 0.2 n min−1; FWD, 1.5 ± 0.3 n min−1). Physical outputs reduced across playing quarters, despite unlimited substitutions, demonstrating the importance of optimizing physical preparation prior to international competition. Volume and intensity data highlight specific positional requirements, with forwards displaying shorter playing durations but greater high-intensity activities than defenders.

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Bowled over or over bowled? Age-related changes in the performance of bowlers in Test match cricket

10.1101/2020.05.24.113191 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jack Thorley

Keyword(s):

High Speed ◽

Human Performance ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Population Level ◽

Physical Strength ◽

Age Related ◽

Wide Range ◽

Elite Level ◽

Individual Contributions ◽

Modern Era

ABSTRACTData from elite professional sports players provide a valuable source of information on human performance and ageing. Functional declines in performance have been investigated across a wide range of sporting disciplines that vary in their need for physical strength, endurance, cognitive ability and motor skills, but rarely have researchers considered other sources of heterogeneity that can exist among individuals. Using information on all male bowlers to have played Test match cricket since the early 1970s, I separated age-dependent variation in bowling performance at the population-level into within-individual and between-individual (cohort) changes. I found no evidence for senescence in bowling performance as measured via economy rate or wicket-taking ability, irrespective of the style of the bowler (fast or slow). Instead, analyses detected strong between-individual contributions to bowling performance as higher quality bowlers were able to compete at the elite level for longer, and were therefore over-represented in older age classes. Bowlers also experienced a deterioration in the last year of their Test careers. These results highlight that the very best Test match bowlers have been able to maintain and often improve their skill level well into their thirties, but how they accomplish this alongside the physical demands of Test cricket remains unresolved. Further multivariate models also identified a negative relationship among slow bowlers between their economy rate and their wicket-taking ability, suggesting that in general, the most economical slow bowlers in the modern era of Test match cricket have also taken wickets at the fastest rate. The same is not true for fast bowlers, which is perhaps partly because bowling at high speed compromises accuracy and thus increases scoring opportunities for batsman.

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Investigating the Effect of Individual Rotations on the Physical and Physiological Performance in Elite Female Field Hockey Players

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11031022 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 1022

Author(s):

Aideen McGuinness ◽

Darren Kenna ◽

Adam Grainger ◽

Kieran Collins

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

High Speed ◽

Maximal Velocity ◽

Field Hockey ◽

Match Play ◽

Total Distance ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Hockey Players ◽

Rate Maximum ◽

Physiological Demands

To quantify the rotational demands of elite female field hockey with respect to position. Twenty-eight (n = 28) elite international field hockey players were recruited during the 2018–2020 seasons. Players were monitored with GPS technology and heart-rate monitors. Methods: Activity was categorised into total distance (m), relative total distance (m·min−1), high-speed distance (m; 16 km∙h−1), relative high-speed distance (m·min−1), max velocity (km·h−1), and percentage maximal velocity (%Vmax). Physiological demands were assessed via heart rate measures (bpm and % HRmax) and time > 80% heart rate maximum. Results: A single rotation equated to 7 ± 0.8 min. Players covered a mean total distance of was 868 ± 132 m (125.7 ± 5.9 m·min−1) with 140 ± 39 m at high-speed (21.7 ± 3.6 m·min−1). A significant difference was reported for relative total (p ≤ 0.001), and high-speed (p ≤ 0.001), distance across positional. Forwards were reported to cover the most relative total and high-speed distance (d = 1.0) when compared to defenders and midfielders. Conclusion: The study provides normative data for rotational demands of elite female field hockey. Coaches should consider these demands when developing training drills to better optimise the positional physical and physiological demands of competitive match-play.

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Establishing Running Intensities of Elite Field Hockey Players During Competitive Match-Play

IUSCA Journal ◽

10.47206/iuscaj.v1i1.20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Arian Forouhandeh

Keyword(s):

Average Method ◽

High Speed ◽

Average Length ◽

Relative Distance ◽

Field Hockey ◽

Time Curve ◽

Match Play ◽

Hockey Players ◽

Global Positioning ◽

Appropriate Prescription

Field hockey requires players to perform at varying intensities throughout a competitive match, involving high-speed running combined with tactical skills in order to outscore the opposition. A greater understanding of specific running demands imposed by competitive match-play may aid coaches in appropriate prescription of training and adequate recovery programmes. Purpose: to determine peak duration- and position-specific running intensities during field hockey competition, using a rolling average method. Methods: twenty one elite male field hockey players were analysed through 15Hz Global Positioning System (GPS) technology across a 16 match competitive season. Peak values for relative distance (m·min-1) and high-speed distance (m·min-1) were calculated, placed in a velocity-time curve and analysed using a rolling average method across ten different durations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 min) for each playing position. Results: Forwards and midfielders covered significantly (p < 0.05) more relative distance than defenders for averages 1 to 6, with the forwards covering the greatest maximum relative distance and high-speed relative distance. There was a substantial decrease in relative distance and high-speed distance as the length of the rolling average increased, presenting small to moderate differences between durations 4 to 10 min, with the magnitude of differences between lengths decreasing as the rolling average length increased. Conclusion: These findings suggest that match-play running demands are significantly more intense than previously reported for all positions. As forwards exhibited a greater running intensity throughout, position specific training drills should replicate the most demanding phases of field hockey competition.

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