Activity profile, PlayerLoad™ and heart rate response of Gaelic football players: A pilot study

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to; quantify positional differences in the activity profiles of Gaelic football players and to evaluate decrements in physical performance during a pre-season competition. Global positioning system (GPS) data was recorded from 36 players from 3 teams across 5 games. The relative distance covered in locomotor activities, peak speed, relative PlayerLoad™ (PL.min-1) and heart rate responses were evaluated between playing positions and across match periods using a mixed model analysis. The mean relative distance of 92.4 ± 23.3 m.min-1 covered, comprised 28.4 ± 10.2 m.min-1 of high intensity running (m.min-1 ≥ 4.0 m.s-1) and 9.9 ± 3.9 m.min-1 of very high intensity running (m.min-1 ≥ 5.5 m.s-1). High intensity running and relative PlayerLoad™ (PL.min-1) was significantly higher in half-backs, midfielders and half-forwards compared to the fullbacks , whereas only the half-backs and half-forwards displayed significantly greater values compared to full-forwards. When compared to the first 15 min (P1) of the game, analysis of pooled positional data revealed significant declines in; overall relative distance covered, jogging (≥2.0-< 4.0 m.s-1), running (≥4.0-<5.5 m.s-1), high intensity running and PL.min-1 ,in P2 (20-35 min) and P4 (55-70 min). Significant reductions in average heart rate were also found between the first and second halves and between P1 with both P3 and P4. These results highlight differences in the physical performance requirements of specific positions and provide evidence of reductions in work-rate during games. Coaches can use this information to inform the development of both team and position-specific conditioning programmes.

Temporal Changes in Team Performance Indicators Which Differentiate Between Winning and Losing in Elite Gaelic Football

“…It is likely that variations in player density result from changes in tactical strategy during situations when either the contest is still in dispute or the outcome of the game is likely known. Either way this metric is likely affected by levels of fitness and fatigue [3], and may decline particularly towards the latter stages of games when physical decrements in performance have been observed [12,13,29] resulting in players having more space to pass or receive the ball.…”

“…However, emerging research in Gaelic football is beginning to address the current knowledge gaps and a few studies have documented technical performance indicators relating to; counterattacking [6], kick out distribution [7], comparing teams competing at different levels [8,9], or era's [10], and winning [2,11]. Although there are currently no studies in Gaelic football that have examined differences in technical performance across match periods, previous investigations have reported decrements in player physical performance profiles between match halves and specific intervals of 15 -17.5 min [12][13][14]. In soccer, a significant decline in physical (total distance and high intensity running with and without the ball) and technical (involvements with the ball, short passes and successful short passes) performance was demonstrated between the first and second halves of games [15].…”

Alterations in Team Physical Performance and Possession in Elite Gaelic Football Competition

“…Consequently, significant physical capacities are required to sustain intermittent high intensity activities incorporating; accelerations, decelerations and changes in direction, and high-and maximal-speed running, although these are often interspersed with low intensity recovery periods. Physical contact occurs throughout games, aggravated by man-to-man marking [3], shoulder charging and tackling [4], and particular intense contests can ignite the passion of players and spectators alike. However, these impacts may exacerbate high levels of fatigue [5] and contribute to declines in physical performance [4], potentially affecting match outcome.…”

“…Physical contact occurs throughout games, aggravated by man-to-man marking [3], shoulder charging and tackling [4], and particular intense contests can ignite the passion of players and spectators alike. However, these impacts may exacerbate high levels of fatigue [5] and contribute to declines in physical performance [4], potentially affecting match outcome. Therefore, to understand specific aspects of performance contributing to match outcome [6], it is appropriate to analyse a combination of; physical, tactical and technical indicators demonstrated by successful (winning) and unsuccessful (losing) teams.…”

“…The player tracking technology incorporating GPS, used extensively in team sports to provide comprehensive analysis of physical performance during training and competition [7], is now embedded within the preparation programmes and performance analysis of most elite Gaelic football teams. This has facilitated examination of the activity and running profiles of players, with recent studies demonstrating average total distances covered, ranging from ~8.2 to 8.9 km [8][9][10], and mean peak speeds, ranging from ~7.8 to 8.4 m•s -1 [4,9]. Moreover, in a study exploring the relationship between running performance and technical variables, persistent fouling in the middle third was recently shown to have the largest negative impact on running, whereas the percentage of short kick outs performed by the opposition and total opposition possession time positively increased the total distance and high speed distance ran [11].…”