scholarly journals All Things Being Equal: Spatiotemporal Differences between Open and Women’s 16-Goal Polo

Author(s):  
Russ Best ◽  
Regan Standing

Polo is an equestrian team sport, consisting of Open and Women’s only handicapping systems. As cumulative player handicap increases in Open Polo, distance covered, average speeds and high intensity work performed per chukka also increase. These activities may differ in terms of distribution of, and their affect upon, match outcome in Women’s Polo, and thus have implications for equine preparation and management. This study aimed to quantify spatiotemporal differences between Open and Women’s Polo when matched for handicap and assess their affect upon chukka and match outcome using a prospective cohort design. Distance, speed and high intensity activity data were collected via player worn global positioning system (GPS) units during 16-goal Open and Women’s Polo tournaments. Notational analysis quantified chukka duration and chukka and game outcomes. Between group differences were assessed by independent samples t-tests, and two factor mixed effects ANOVA for within group analyses. Between group differences were analysed using an independent samples t-test with alpha defined a priori as p<0.05. Open and Women’s Polo differed by a small to large extent (ES: 0.54 – 1.81) for all spatiotemporal metrics. In Open Polo, players covered moderately more distance (429.0m; 238.9m to 619.0m), with small to large increases in high intensity activities performed in games won. Whereas in Women’s Polo, moderately higher maximum speeds were attained in games won (17.13 km/h; 11.86 km/h to 22.40 km/h) and a small increase in accelerations performed (5.1; 0.2 to 10.0). Open and Women’s Polo, when matched for handicap, present with small to large spatiotemporal differences that are likely of practical significance, and influence game outcome differently between codes. These differences do not necessarily mean that Polo ponies need to be trained differently for each code.

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 530-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim J. Gabbett ◽  
Caleb W. Gahan

Purpose:To examine the nature and frequency of rugby league repeated high-intensity-effort (RHIE) activity in relation to tries scored and conceded in successful and unsuccessful teams.Participants:185 semiprofessional rugby league players (mean ± SD age 23.7 ± 3.2 y) from 11 teams.Methods:Global positioning system (GPS) data were collected during 21 matches and analyzed for the total number of RHIE bouts, efforts per bout, duration of efforts, and recovery between efforts. Using notational analysis, a RHIE-bout frequency distribution, representing 0–60 s, 61–120 s, 121–180 s, 181–240 s, and 241–300 s before scoring and conceding a try, was established.Results:Over 50% of RHIE bouts occurred within 5 min of a try. Bottom-4 teams performed a greater proportion of bouts within 5 min of a try than top-4 teams (61.5% vs 48.2%, effect size, ES = 0.69 ± 0.28, P = .0001). Top-4 teams performed a greater number of RHIE bouts per conceded try (3.0 ± 2.1 vs 1.6 ± 0.7, ES = 0.74 ± 0.51, P < .05), while bottom-4 teams performed a greater number of RHIE bouts per try scored (3.6 ± 2.5 vs 2.1 ± 1.7, ES = 0.70 ± 0.71, P = .10).Conclusion:The majority of rugby league RHIE bouts occur at critical periods during match play. Successful rugby league teams perform more RHIE bouts before conceding tries, while unsuccessful teams perform more bouts before scoring tries. These findings demonstrate that unsuccessful teams are required to work harder to score tries while successful teams work harder to prevent tries.


Author(s):  
Charly Fornasier-Santos ◽  
Gregoire P Millet ◽  
Paul Stridgeon ◽  
Olivier Girard ◽  
Franck Brocherie ◽  
...  

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of competition level on running patterns for five playing position in the most successful 2014–2015 European rugby union team. Seventeen French rugby union championship and seven European rugby Champions Cup games were analysed. Global positioning system (sampling: 10 Hz) were used to determine high-speed movements, high-intensity accelerations, repeated high-intensity efforts and high-intensity micro-movements characteristics for five positional groups. During European Champions Cup games, front row forwards performed a higher number of repeated high-intensity efforts compared to National championship games (5.8±1.6 vs. 3.6±2.3; +61.1%), and back row forwards travelled greater distance both at high-speed movements (3.4±1.8 vs. 2.4±0.9 m·min-1; +41.7%) and after high-intensity accelerations (78.2±14.0 vs. 68.1 ±13.4 m; +14.8%). In backs, scrum halves carried out more high-intensity accelerations (24.7±3.1 vs. 14.8±5.0; +66.3%) whereas outside backs completed a higher number of high-speed movements (62.7±25.4 vs. 48.3±17.0; +29.8%) and repeated high-intensity efforts (13.5±4.6 vs. 9.7±4.9;  +39.2%). These results highlighted that the competition level affected the high-intensity activity differently among the five playing positions. Consequently, training programs in elite rugby should be tailored taking into account both the level of competition and the high-intensity running pattern of each playing position.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-90
Author(s):  
Heita Goto ◽  
James A. King

Purpose: The purposes of the present study were to examine high-intensity running distance during 6-a-side small-sided games (SSGs) and 11-a-side matches (11M) in youth soccer players using speed and metabolic power approaches and the magnitude of difference between the high-intensity running distance calculated with the 2 approaches. Method: A total of 11 outfield players (age = 16.3 [0.6] y) performed SSGs with 3 pitch sizes (small SSG [SSGS], medium SSG, and large SSG [SSGL]) and 11M. A Global Positioning System (15 Hz) was employed to calculate total distance covered, distance covered at a speed ≥4.3 m·s−1 (TS), and metabolic power of ≥20 W·kg−1 (TP). Results: The total distance covered increased from SSGS through to SSGL (P < .001) and was greater during 11M and SSGL compared with other SSGs (P < .01). TS and TP increased from SSGS (TS vs TP = 98 [55] vs 547 [181] m) through to SSGL (538 [167] vs 1050 [234] m; P < .001). TS and TP during 11M (370 [122] vs 869 [233] m) was greater than SSGS (P < .001 for both) and less than SSGL (P < .05 for both). The magnitude of difference between TS and TP (as a percentage) was lower with an increase in pitch size during SSGs and was greater in SSGS (615% [404%]; P < .001), medium SSG (195% [76%]; P < .05), and smaller in SSGL (102% [33%]; P < .01) compared with 11M (145% [53%]). Conclusion: SSGs can replicate the high-intensity demands of 11M and the speed approach underestimates the high-intensity demands of SSGs and 11M compared with the metabolic power approach.


Author(s):  
Anna M.J. Iveson ◽  
Malcolm H. Granat ◽  
Brian M. Ellis ◽  
Philippa M. Dall

Objective: Global positioning system (GPS) data can add context to physical activity data and have previously been integrated with epoch-based physical activity data. The current study aimed to develop a framework for integrating GPS data and event-based physical activity data (suitable for assessing patterns of behavior). Methods: A convenience data set of concurrent GPS (AMOD) and physical activity (activPAL) data were collected from 69 adults. The GPS data were (semi)regularly sampled every 5 s. The physical activity data output was presented as walking events, which are continuous periods of walking with a time-stamped start time and duration (to nearest 0.1 s). The GPS outcome measures and the potential correspondence of their timing with walking events were identified and a framework was developed describing data integration for each combination of GPS outcome and walking event correspondence. Results: The GPS outcome measures were categorized as those deriving from a single GPS point (e.g., location) or from the difference between successive GPS points (e.g., distance), and could be categorical, scale, or rate outcomes. Walking events were categorized as having zero (13% of walking events, 3% of walking duration), or one or more (52% of walking events, 75% of walking duration) GPS points occurring during the event. Additionally, some walking events did not have GPS points suitably close to allow calculation of outcome measures (31% of walking events, 22% of walking duration). The framework required different integration approaches for each GPS outcome type, and walking events containing zero or more than one GPS points.


2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Mallo ◽  
Esteban Mena ◽  
Fabio Nevado ◽  
Víctor Paredes

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the physical demands imposed on professional soccer players during 11-a-side friendly matches in relation to their playing position, using global positioning system (GPS) technology. One hundred and eleven match performances of a Spanish “La Liga” team during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 pre-seasons were selected for analysis. The activities of the players were monitored using GPS technology with a sampling frequency of 1 Hz. Total distance covered, distance in different speed categories, accelerations, and heart rate responses were analyzed in relation to five different playing positions: central defenders (n=23), full-backs (n=20), central midfielders (n=22), wide midfielders (n=26), and forwards (n=20). Distance covered during a match averaged 10.8 km, with wide and central midfielders covering the greatest total distance. Specifically, wide midfielders covered the greatest distances by very high-intensity running (>19.8 km·h-1) and central midfielders by jogging and running (7.2-19.7 km·h-1). On the other hand, central defenders covered the least total distance and at high intensity, although carried out more (p<0.05-0.01) accelerations than forwards, wide midfielders, and fullbacks. The work rate profile of the players obtained with the GPS was very similar to that obtained with semi-automatic image technologies. However, when comparing results from this study with data available in the literature, important differences were detected in the amount of distance covered by sprinting, which suggests that caution should be taken when comparing data obtained with the GPS with other motion analysis systems, especially regarding high-intensity activities.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 711-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia M. Black ◽  
Tim J. Gabbett

Purpose:No study has investigated the frequency and nature of repeated high-intensity-effort (RHIE) bouts across elite and semielite rugby league competitions. This study examined RHIE activity in rugby league match play across playing standards.Participants:36 elite and 64 semielite rugby league players.Methods:Global positioning system analysis was completed during 17 elite and 14 semielite matches.Results:The most commonly occurring RHIE bouts involved 2 efforts (2-RHIE) for both elite and semielite players. Only small differences were found in 2-RHIE activity between elite and semielite match play (effect size [ES] ≥0.31 ± 0.15, ≥88%, likely). RHIE bouts were more likely to involve contact as the number of efforts in a bout increased (ES ≥0.40 ± 0.15, 100%, almost certainly). Semielite players performed a greater proportion of 2-contact-effort RHIE bouts than their elite counterparts (68.2% vs 60.6%, ES 0.33 ± 0.15, 92%, likely), while elite players performed a greater proportion of 3-effort bouts (26.9% vs 21.1%, ES 0.31 ± 0.15, 88%, likely). Elite players also had a shorter recovery (1.00−3.99 vs ≥4.00 min) between RHIE bouts (ES ≥1.60 ± 0.71, ≥94%, likely).Conclusion:These findings highlight the RHIE demands of elite and semielite rugby league match play. Elite players are more likely to perform RHIE bouts consisting of 3 efforts and to have a shorter recovery time between bouts. Exposing players to these RHIE demands in training is likely to improve their ability to tolerate the most demanding passages of match play.


Sports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Toni Modric ◽  
Mario Jelicic ◽  
Damir Sekulic

Previous studies examined training/match ratios (TMr) to determine the training load relative to the match load, but the influence of the relative training load (RTL) on success in soccer is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the possible influence of RTL on final match outcome in soccer (win, draw, and loss). Running performances (RP) of soccer players (n = 21) in the Croatian highest national soccer competition were analyzed during the season 2020–2021. Data were measured by the global positioning system in 14 official matches and 67 training sessions. RTL was assessed by TMr, which were calculated as the ratio of RP during training and match in the same week, evaluating the following measures: TDr (total distance ratio), LIDr (low-intensity distance ratio), RDr (running distance ratio), HIDr (high-intensity distance ratio), ACCr (total accelerations ratio), DECr (total decelerations ratio), HI-ACCr (high-intensity accelerations ratio), HI-DECr (high-intensity decelerations ratio). All TMr were examined separately for each training session within in-season microcycles (categorized as days before the match day, i.e., MD minus). Spearman correlations were used to identify association between match outcome and TMr. The results indicated negative associations between match outcome and TDr, LIDr, ACCr and DECr on MD-1 and MD-2). In contrast, positive associations were evidenced between match outcome, and HIDr on MD-3 and TDr, LIDr, ACCr and DECr on MD-5 (p < 0.05; all moderate correlations). These findings demonstrate that final match outcome in soccer was associated with greater RTL of (i) high-intensity running three days before the match, (ii) total and low-intensity running, accelerations and decelerations five days before the match, and (iii) lower RTL of total and low-intensity running, accelerations and decelerations one and two days before the match.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1059-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Varley ◽  
Arne Jaspers ◽  
Werner F. Helsen ◽  
James J. Malone

Purpose:Sprints and accelerations are popular performance indicators in applied sport. The methods used to define these efforts using athlete-tracking technology could affect the number of efforts reported. This study aimed to determine the influence of different techniques and settings for detecting high-intensity efforts using global positioning system (GPS) data.Methods:Velocity and acceleration data from a professional soccer match were recorded via 10-Hz GPS. Velocity data were filtered using either a median or an exponential filter. Acceleration data were derived from velocity data over a 0.2-s time interval (with and without an exponential filter applied) and a 0.3-second time interval. High-speed-running (≥4.17 m/s2), sprint (≥7.00 m/s2), and acceleration (≥2.78 m/s2) efforts were then identified using minimum-effort durations (0.1–0.9 s) to assess differences in the total number of efforts reported.Results:Different velocity-filtering methods resulted in small to moderate differences (effect size [ES] 0.28–1.09) in the number of high-speed-running and sprint efforts detected when minimum duration was <0.5 s and small to very large differences (ES –5.69 to 0.26) in the number of accelerations when minimum duration was <0.7 s. There was an exponential decline in the number of all efforts as minimum duration increased, regardless of filtering method, with the largest declines in acceleration efforts.Conclusions:Filtering techniques and minimum durations substantially affect the number of high-speed-running, sprint, and acceleration efforts detected with GPS. Changes to how high-intensity efforts are defined affect reported data. Therefore, consistency in data processing is advised.


Author(s):  
David Rhodes ◽  
Stephen Valassakis ◽  
Lukasz Bortnik ◽  
Richard Eaves ◽  
Damian Harper ◽  
...  

Objectives: Previous research has highlighted the frequency of high-intensity accelerations and decelerations in elite football. The influence of these actions on match performance outcomes has not been established. The aim of the present study was to identify the influence of high-intensity accelerations and decelerations on match performance outcomes (i.e., win, draw, lost). Comparisons were also made between team and positional high-intensity accelerations and decelerations recorded within the games. Methods: 26 elite outfield footballers from an elite English Football League (EFL) Two team completed the present study. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology was utilised to quantify high-intensity accelerations and decelerations during 45 games in a competitive season. Magnitude analysis and the effects of results, positions and fixture periods were observed. Results: Significant effects of results, periods and positions were observed (p ≤ 0.05), with the highest outputs observed in games won. Positionally, fullbacks and centre forwards in a 4–3–3 formation exhibited the greatest frequency of high-intensity accelerations and decelerations. Very large differences were observed between the frequency of high-intensity decelerations compared to accelerations in games won (g = 2.37), drawn (g = 2.99) and lost (g = 3.59). The highest team frequencies of high-intensity accelerations (n = 3330) and decelerations (n = 6482) were completed in games won. Conclusions: The frequency of high-intensity accelerations and decelerations has a significant impact on match performance outcomes in an elite English League Two football team. Consideration needs to be given to specific conditioning and recovery strategies to optimise high-intensity acceleration and deceleration performance in games. Caution should be taken as these findings are representative of one team within the EFL.


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