Physical and Physiological Demands of Elite International Female Field Hockey Players During Competitive Match Play

J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Nov;33(11):3105-3113. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002158.

Abstract

McGuinness, A, Malone, S, Petrakos, G, and Collins, K. The physical and physiological demands of elite international female field hockey players during competitive match play. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 3105-3113, 2019-The aim of the current investigation was to quantify the physical and physiological demands of elite international female field hockey match play across halves of play. Thirty-eight participants (24 ± 5 years; 173 ± 5 cm; 72 ± 5 kg) took part in 19 competitive matches during the 2014-2015 season. Participants were monitored with global positioning system technology and heart rate monitors. Players were categorized based on 3 different playing positions. Activity was categorized into total (m), high-speed running distance (m; >16 km·h), and relative distance (RD) (m·min) due to the use of rolling substitutions. Heart rate was classified based on the percentage of players' individual peak heart rate (HRpeak) determined by a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 test. Players spent on average 44 ± 7 minutes in match play. The total distance (TD) covered was 5,558 ± 527 m (125 ± 23 m·min) with 589 ± 160 m (13 ± 4 m·min) completed at high speed. Defenders covered a greater TD compared with other positions of play (p ≤ 0.001). Midfield players covered a greater distance at high speed (p ≤ 0.001) with the forwards having a higher relative distance (p ≤ 0.001). The HRpeak of the players was 199 ± 1 b·min with a mean exercise intensity of 86 ± 7.8% of HRpeak. The time spent >85% HRpeak decreased significantly across the halves (p = 0.04, η = 0.09, small). Defenders were found to spend more time >85% HRpeak when compared with forwards (p ≤ 0.001). The current investigation provides normative data that coaches should consider when constructing training regimen.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletic Performance / physiology*
  • Competitive Behavior / physiology
  • Female
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Heart Rate*
  • Hockey / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Running / physiology*
  • Young Adult