Limited information exists about the movement patterns of field-hockey players, especially during elite competition. Time-motion analysis was used to document the movement patterns during an international field-hockey game. In addition, the movement patterns of repeated-sprint activity were investigated, as repeated-sprint ability is considered to be an important fitness component of team-sport performance. Fourteen members of the Australian men's field-hockey team (age 26+/-3 years, body mass 76.7+/-5.6 kg, VO2max 57.9+/-3.6 ml.kg(-1).min(-1); mean+/-s) were filmed during an international game and their movement patterns were analysed. The majority of the total player game time was spent in the low-intensity motions of walking, jogging and standing (46.5+/-8.1, 40.5+/-7.0 and 7.4+/-0.9%, respectively). In comparison, the proportions of time spent in striding and sprinting were 4.1+/-1.1 and 1.5+/-0.6%, respectively. Our criteria for 'repeated-sprint' activity (defined as a minimum of three sprints, with mean recovery duration between sprints of less than 21 s) was met on 17 occasions during the game (total for all players), with a mean 4+/-1 sprints per bout. On average, 95% of the recovery during the repeated-sprint bouts was of an active nature. In summary, the results suggest that the motion activities of an elite field-hockey competition are similar to those of elite soccer, rugby and Australian Rules football. In addition, the investigation of repeated-sprint activity during competition has provided additional information about the unique physiological demands of elite field-hockey performance.

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Phosphocreatine (PCr) repletion following either single (1x6 s, n=7) or repeated (5x6 s, departing every 30 s, n=8) maximal short sprint cycling efforts was measured in separate groups of trained subjects. Muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were taken pre‐exercise before warming up, and then at 10 s, 30 s and 3 min post‐exercise. After the 1 × 6 s sprint PCr concentration was respectively, 55% (10 s; P<0.01), 69% (30 s; P<0.01) and 90% (3 min; NS) of the pre‐exercise value (mean±SD) (81.1±7.4 mmol · kg−1 DM), whereas after the 5 × 6 s sprints, PCr concentration was, respectively, 27% (10 s; P<0.01), 45% (30 s; P<0.01) and 84% (3 min; P<0.01) of the pre‐exercise value (77.1±4.9 mmol · kg−1 DM). PCr concentration was correlated with muscle lactate at 30 s (r=−0.82; P<0.05) and 3 min of recovery (r=−0.94; P<0.01) for the 1 × 6 s sprint, but not for the 5 × 6 s sprints. The extent of PCr repletion was significantly greater after the 5 × 6 s sprints than the 1 × 6 s sprint between both 10 s and 30 s and 30 s and 3 min, despite lower PCr levels at 10 s, 30 s and 3 min following the 5 × 6 s sprints. Full repletion of PCr is likely to take longer after repeated sprints than single short sprints because of a greater degree of PCr depletion, such that replenishment must commence from lower PCr levels rather than because of slower rates of repletion.

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The results of this study indicate that Cr ingestion (20 g.day-1 x 5 d) improved exercise performance during 80 min of repeated-sprint exercise, possibly due to an increased TCr store and improved PCr replenishment rate.

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